Late-night levy thrown out by Kingston Council

The move to introduce the levy on premises in the area that sell alcohol late at night to contribute towards the cost of policing the night-time economy was rejected at a licensing committee meeting on Wednesday (1 November) night.

"Kingston has a thriving, vibrant night-time economy,” a Kingston Council spokesperson said.

“We carefully considered the impact that the levy might have on nightlife and recognised that it could be negative and perhaps does not give the council the flexibility needed. It was right to look at this again, having last considered it in 2013 but, for now, it isn’t something that we would be looking to implement."

Kingston Council last considered introducing a levy four years ago but deemed that the potential costs of implementing such a scheme would outweigh the benefits.

ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Kingston Council has acted with pragmatism and common sense by dismissing a possible late-night levy in the area.

“It is a measure that would have only increased burdens on hard-pressed businesses without having an appreciable effect on any perceived areas of alcohol-related disorder.

"Other councils considering the measure would do well to follow Kingston’s example and avoid introducing a discredited measure that harms businesses.”