Council issues notification confirming introduction of Late Night Levy – which comes into effect 1 February 2025

Further to my previous eNews, Bolton Council have now issued notification that a Late Night Levy will be introduced in Bolton Town centre and will take effect from 1 February 2025.

You can find a copy of this notification here.

The Late Night Levy will require licensed premises permitted to sell alcohol or provide late night refreshment (hot food) between the hours of 3am and 6am in the Town Centre to pay an additional annual ‘levy’ fee. The Levy fee will range from £299 to the maximum of £4,440 depending on the rateable value of the premises and whether it is used exclusively or primarily for the sale of alcohol.

The Council will now allow licence holders a period to make a free application to vary their licence to reduce their licensed hours so they do not fall within the operational hours of the levy (03:00 to 06:00 hours).

The notification document confirms that the free application to vary your licence to avoid paying the levy charge must be completed by the 31st March 2025.

For further information or queries, please feel free to contact Suraj Desor or any of our licensing solicitors.