Trade unites to lobby Government about late-night levies
Six major trade bodies are urging the Government to grant exemptions from paying new late-night levies to pubs involved in Best Bar None (BBN) and Business Improvement Districts (BID) schemes.
The view, originally championed by Noctis executive director Paul Smith, will carry more weight as part of a united letter to the Home Office.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the BII, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, Noctis, Business in Sport and Leisure and the British Hospitality Association are all backing the letter in response to Government plans for the licensed trade.
These include introducing a late-night levy, banning below cost sales and giving police more powers to close troublesome venues.
"As far as Noctis is concerned, the most important issue is the late-night levy," said Smith. "We are pushing for BBN and BID over the late-night levy.
"It is not about additional policing. We need to have a broader conversation about policing and managing the late-night sector. We are making reasonable and cost-effective proposals that make sense in the new world order."
Smith said Home Office Minister James Brokenshire was "very supportive" of the BBN scheme when they met last week. "I'm positive about the noises we've heard so far," added Smith.
Smith said he would lobby for exemptions for the levy for BBN accredited venues when he spoke to the Morning Advertiser just after the Queen's speech when the plans were announced.
Chief executive of the BBPA Brigid Simmonds, which is heading the submission, agreed that venues involved in BBN and BID schemes should be exempt from extra charges and said that police already have enough powers.
On the plans to ban below cost sales she said: "We believe there should be a ban. The Government needs to think very carefully about whether this will mean more than just tax and duty."
The letter is expected to reach the Home Office this week.
