BBPA responds to Hackney levy consultation
The BBPA has argued that a levy would be a threat to local businesses and jobs in the London borough.
Last week, a House of Lords report recommended scrapping the late-night levy in favour of wider use of business improvement districts (BIDs), which are currently seen in more than 250 communities across the country.
“The introduction of a late-night levy is effectively hitting local businesses with an indiscriminate tax, which is particularly unfair on pubs,” BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said.
The BBPA has advocated the introduction of a BID instead of a levy. The levy would involve late-night venues supplementing the cost of local policing, whereas a BID would involve businesses and communities working together.
“Our response [to the consultation] has made clear the BBPA’s view that, in contrast to a levy, a BID is an example of effective partnership working, which will engage local businesses to help improve the local economy,” Simmonds added.
