The number of licensing authorities in England and Wales considering the introduction a late-night levy has decreased sharply, an annual survey by Poppleston Allen has found.
The research showed that 333 of the 348 licensing authorities surveyed, or 95.7%, were unlikely to propose implementation of a levy, a considerable rise from the 152 authorities in the 2012 survey conducted by the licensing law firm.
In addition, some authorities stated that they did not believe that the “maximum 30% levy revenue available to them would justify implementation of a levy, although a number of consultations have considered setting up joint programmes of expenditure in partnership with the local police in order to effectively address problems associated with the night time economy”.
It concluded that, for many councils, the levy “would not be a financially-viable option when balanced with the administrative burden and the exemptions and discounts that may be applied”.
However, according to Poppleston Allen partner Clare Eames, many licensing officers confirmed that they would be watching the effectiveness of the UK’s first late-night levy, which was implemented in Newcastle last November.
She explained: “Should substantial revenue be effectively realised, a number of authorities currently not considering the proposal may soon look to thoroughly investigate the potential to raise much needed funds.”
Eames also believed the pub industry’s response to the levy “has not been as strong as it could be”.
She said: “While the trade bodies and larger operators have put up strong defences, it is a numbers game. Islington was a prime example of this, as the relatively small response from the trade as a whole against when set against the huge response in favour of the levy meant the operator’s voice was diminished.”
While national interest has waned, Islington Council’s implementation of a late-night levy, due to commence in October, has raised concern that this may be a ‘watershed’ moment across London.
The Poppleston Allen survey stated: “Of the remaining 31 boroughs, 29 have confirmed that there is not currently any interest in the implementation of a late-night levy and only Lambeth Authority stating that it may be considered as part of the Licensing Authority’s Licensing Policy review.”
It added: “However, several of the London authorities have confirmed that the position may be re-evaluated following the local elections in May.”
