Pubs to be hit with cost of reform for 24-hour licensing

The pub trade has been told it should foot the bill for extra policing, transport and street-cleaning if it wants a 24-hour licensing regime.

Speaking at the launch of a consultation into 24-hour licensing last week, MP John Cryer said the leisure and entertainment industries should pay for any extra costs of operating a 24-hour city, as they would be reaping the benefits of extended licensing hours.

Andrew Cunningham from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, told the meeting that ministers were still debating a scale of fees for the new licensing system to be set by the Secretary of State.

But it remains unclear whether pubs could be charged extra to fund late-night services.

John Mulhern of the Justices' Clerks' Society told the meeting he was in favour of a central fee structure but hinted that the trade could expect a rise in fees because the existing system had seen it "getting something on the cheap".

There is concern within the trade that licensees could end up paying out thousands of pounds in licence fees under the new system.

The meeting to debate the merits of later opening was hosted by Jennette Arnold, chairman of the London Assembly's Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee. Ms Arnold (pictured)​ said she welcomed input from all quarters.

"A key issue in reforming the law is to strike a balance between the needs of businesses, the economy and residents," she said.

But campaigners in the pub industry, including Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin and Shepherd Neame's Stuart Neame, want to see the proposals shelved because they claim the cost could cripple the trade.

Stuart Neame told thePublican.com: "Everything we have seen in the drafting of this bill shows that bureaucracy is going to increase, costs will increase and licensing fees will increase."

Tony Payne, of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, said: "It worries me that licensees are going to be hit with increased licence fees.

"Under the proposed dual licensing system a licensee who currently just pays the £30 licence duty would have to pay for his premises too."

He added that the increased cost would hit smaller businesses the most.

The meeting heard that London and other cities would need to change their public service infrastructure to cope with the demands of being a 24-hour city.

The cost of improved transport systems, delivering better policing, supplying more public conveniences, controlling noise and providing good street cleaning services were issues raised during the debate.

Mr Cunningham said he was unable to speculate on the timing of the new licensing bill but predicted it should be in force by 2004 if everything goes to plan.

Have your say​

We're asking youto have your say on licensing reform by taking part in our countrywide online survey.

We will be collating the responses we receive from the survey and presenting them to culture secretary Tessa Jowell to help clarify licensees' position on reform.

So fill in your survey now​ and get your voice heard.

Licensing reform - without doubt, the topic of the moment. Take a look at some of the views of those in the trade.

Related articles:​

West Country licensees call for meeting with Tony Blair (20 June 2002)

Peaceful Jubilee bodes well for licensing reform (6 June 2002)

Relaxed hours put to the test during busiest week of the year (30 May 2002)

Reform campaigners put pen to paper (30 May 2002)