Newcastle City Council has voted to revoke its Late Night Levy, which currently applies to premises authorised by a premises licence or club premises certificate to supply alcohol between midnight and 6am, subject to certain exemptions, including for premises only authorised to supply alcohol during those hours on New Year’s Day. The Levy fee ranged from £299 to £4,400 per year.
The Levy has been in place since 2013. The decision follows a review and consultation, with the Council concluding that the Levy places an additional and disproportionate financial burden on the late-night licensed trade, particularly premises operating for only a short period beyond midnight. The Council also considered that an alternative approach would be more appropriate for funding measures supporting the city’s night-time economy.
The Levy will end on 31 October 2026. No new Levy bills will be issued, although businesses with outstanding bills relating to the previous year will still be expected to pay them.
NE1, Newcastle’s Business Improvement District (BID), will establish a new governance board and administer a fund, backed by NE1 and Newcastle City Council, specifically for activities relating to safety in the night-time economy. The fund is expected to be at the same level as the final full financial year of the Levy, providing £216,000, with £151,000 going to the Police and Crime Commissioner for policing work and £65,000 to Newcastle City Council.
Read Newcastle City Council’s announcement here Council revokes Newcastle’s Late Night Levy | Newcastle City Council
What does this mean for licence holders?
Premises currently liable for the Levy will no longer be required to pay the Levy from 31 October 2026, save for any outstanding bills relating to the previous year.
Premises that have previously restricted their permitted hours for the supply of alcohol beyond midnight, or removed those hours, to avoid liability for the Late Night Levy may now wish to consider whether a variation of their premises licence or club premises certificate would be appropriate.
If you are considering extending your permitted hours following the removal of the Levy and would like advice or assistance with a variation application, please contact us and we would be happy to assist.
For further information, please feel free to contact any of our licensing solicitors at Poppleston Allen on 0115 953 8500.
