Simmonds: 'Late night levy threatens partnerships'

16-Feb-2012 - Last updated on 16-Feb-2012 at 08:57 GMT

Critical: Brigid Simmonds voices concern over late-night levy

The late-night levy poses a threat to greater partnership in the late-night economy, British Beer & Pub Association boss Brigid Simmonds told last week’s National Pubwatch conference.

Speaking at the National Pubwatch conference in the City of London’s Guildhall last week, British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds slammed the late-night levy (LNL) and urged the Government to put its faith in schemes such as pubwatch, Best Bar None and business improvement districts (BIDs).

Along with early-morning restriction orders (EMROs), the LNL is included in the Police Reform & Social Responsibility Act, expected to come into force next year.

“I actually believe the levy will decrease the amount of partnership working,” said Simmonds.

“We have great BIDs in town centres, we have Pubwatch, we have Best Bar None, we have retail partnerships. They are the things that we should be working with the trade on to help our late-night economy in this country.

“But this is clearly a tax imposed on town-centre pubs, and is also imposed on the little village pub that is never likely to see a policeman.

“I hope local authorities will not impose late-night levies, and that they will continue to work with some great BIDs, such as those in Nottingham and Newquay, where there is partnership working, with support from schemes such as Pubwatch.”

David Mackintosh, of the London Drug & Alcohol Policy Forum, added: “I think some aspects of the late-night levy could possibly work in some areas, and possibly not too. I think it is a very blunt instrument.

“But I think the key point is that the consultation is ongoing, so do respond, and do get involved, because there is an opportunity
now to at least mitigate what might happen.”

However, Ian Graham, chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) licensing working group, believes the levy is an essential tool for police in creating a safer night-time economy.

Graham said: “With the LNL we would get 70% of the levy, which would mean that with the financial constraints we are all facing, especially in the police service, we could perhaps continue to maintain a level of service.

“The bottom line is, does ACPO support the EMROs and LNLs? Yes, they are valuable tools, yes we would welcome them, and yes we need the money.”