Nottingham city council announces removal of late night levy

“Following on from our previous eNews, Nottingham City Council has removed their late-night levy.

Nottingham City Councillors decided at a full council meeting yesterday (12th September 2022) to remove the late-night levy. As a result, the licensees who were required to pay the late-night levy will, as of 1st November 2022, no longer be required to pay it.

As you will be aware, the late-night levy is an additional annual fee charged on licensed premises holders across the city if their premises licence or club premises certificate authorises the sale of alcohol during the period between midnight and 6am (subject to a small number of exemptions). The fee ranges from £299 a year for smaller businesses to £4,449 for larger business which are used exclusively or primarily for the sale of alcohol.

The council’s licensing committee considered the matter earlier this year and following a consultation, where the majority of responses were in favour of removing the late-night levy, the proposal was then put to full Council yesterday and subsequently agreed.

Nottingham’s late-night levy was introduced in 2014.

The money raised was to be split between the council and police to provide targeted support in helping manage the night-time economy and alcohol related crime and disorder.

The report to the Council highlighted that given the significant financial pressures on businesses within the hospitality sector as a result of the pandemic, removing the late-night levy would reduce the burden on existing licensees and remove costs that may be considered a barrier to incoming and expanding businesses.

It was felt that the Council’s licensing regime could provide the necessary safeguards against the potential for more premises seeking to open late at night and any associated anti-social behaviour without the need for a late-night levy. We understand, it is expected the loss of this income for the local police will be partly offset by Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner receiving an extra £13 million towards recruiting more police officers.

We are pleased to see Nottingham City Council take this positive and pragmatic approach which will assist existing and prospective licensed operators and help the hospitality sector thrive in the city. ”

For further information on this or any other alcohol licensing laws, contact associate licensing solicitor Suraj Desor.