Late night levy could be scrapped to help beleaguered businesses

The late-night levy charged to businesses in Nottingham city centre serving alcohol between midnight and 6am could be scrapped in the face of the financial pressures faced by the hospitality industry.

Nottingham City Council’s licencing committee met on Friday to discuss removing the annual payment, which ranges between £299 and £4,440 depending on a venue’s rateable venue, and agreed to launch a consultation into scrapping the payments.

The levy was introduced by the council in 2014 with the purpose of offsetting the cost of policing the night-time economy.

A report presented to councillors read: “The hospitality sector has come under severe pressure in the last 24 months during the pandemic because of the restricted trading conditions. This may assist in the viability of existing businesses but also those considering opening in the city which may by virtue of their planned opening hours be liable for the LNL [late night levy] fee. This could support revitalising the economy within this business sector.”

The levy had raised £133,851 between 1 November 2020 an 31 October 2021, with 144 premises in the city liable.