Full council at Liverpool backs late night levy despite rejection by licensing committee

Liverpool City Council’s decision to impose a late night levy on clubs and bars has been welcomed by police but drawn condemnation from the drinks industry.

The city’s licensing committee had earlier in the year decided against imposing a levy on premises that sell alcohol late at night, under which they contribute to police and cleansing costs.

But the full council asked for further reports on the possibilities of a levy and has now overturned this.

The levy will be imposed on places open between midnight and 6am though with various exemptions including for those in the city’s business improvement districts, which already contribute through this to public realm improvements. Proceeds would be split 70/30 between Merseyside police and the council.

Licensing committee members had said a levy could not practically be imposed until after midnight - the earliest permitted start time - when it would raise too little money to be worthwhile.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wiggins, area police commander for Liverpool, said: “Liverpool has a well-deserved reputation as a safe and vibrant city and every weekend at least 100,000 people visit the city to enjoy the night life. We work hard to ensure those people leave with memories of a fantastic night out and are keen to come back time and time again.

“We welcome the introduction of the late night levy, which has now been approved by the local authority. Alongside our partners, we will always consider all opportunities to ensure Liverpool remains a safe place to work, live and visit.”

But the drinks industry reacted with anger. The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said the council had ignored the licensing committee’s findings.

Its chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “This is an extremely disappointing decision for the city’s late-night businesses, who were strongly opposed to the levy in the 2015 consultation.

“We are particularly concerned that the council has ignored its own licensing committee’s calls for more detailed police evidence and spending proposals and that it has explicitly overridden the call not to start the levy at the earliest possible hour.”

She said the levies rarely raised as much money as predicted and warned the association would “be exploring all possible options to oppose this levy”.

Ms Nicholls congratulated Cheshire East Council on its recent decision not to impose a levy.

British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “Liverpool’s licensing committee had rejected a levy in March, after extensive consultation.

“We are looking at whether the council can reintroduce the measure in this way, without further consultation.”

The London Borough of Camden voted for a levy a year ago. Consultations held on potential levies this year have included the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Gloucester City Council. Cheltenham Borough Council is, however, consulting on whether to scrap its levy in favour of a newly-established business improvement district.

The BBPA has backed the move, arguing that under the scheme, “financial contributions are spread across businesses of all types, reducing the burden on pubs and helping to ensure a more targeted allocation of funds, whilst working closely in partnership with local councils to make a real difference to town centres”.