Late Night Levy for takeaways

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 contains amendments to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, which after commencement will:

• allow licensing authorities to target the Late Night Levy in geographical areas (rather than for it to apply to the whole licensing authority area as is currently the case); and
• give licensing authorities the power to charge the Levy to premises licensed to provide late night refreshment.

In its response to the House of Lords’ select committee report on the Licensing Act 2003, the Government indicated that “…we will consult on the level of charge appropriate for late night refreshment premises and will not commence the measure to allow licensing authorities to charge the levy to late night refreshment premises until this is completed.”

In what will likely be a quiet year for any changes to licensing laws, it has been recently reported that a Home Office consultation will be launched this spring about the appropriate Levy fee levels for late night refreshment premises.

Further details are awaited and we will, as always, provide updates when available.