Late night levy would mean 55 businesses that sell booze until 6am paying to deal with crime and litter
28.10.2023 - 11:07
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A late night levy for businesses serving alcohol in the early hours would raise around £58,000 per year to be spent on tackling related crime and disorder. Bolton Council wants to introduce charges to 55 businesses across the borough that have a licence to serve alcohol between 3am and 6am.
The levy, set by the government, is based on the rateable value of the business properties and for this year would be between £5.75 and £28.72 a week for businesses in Bolton. The council said the potential revenue would be around £58,200 per year.
The money would be used to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as clean-up work. Any surplus cash would go towards providing a safer night time environment.
Many of the affected late night businesses which would be affected by the imposition of such a levy are concentrated on the Bradshawgate area of the town. Exemptions to the charge would apply to businesses who provide overnight accommodation and only serve alcohol to guests.
The matter is set to be discussed by the council’s licensing and environmental regulation committee on Tuesday, October 31. A report to that committee gives details of a consultation on the plans which took place earlier this year.
203 residents and stakeholders took part in the digital survey, outlining their reflections on the proposed late night levy. Four official responses were received from organisations from the hospitality industry.
They included a submission from Rontec Watford Ltd, who run a 24-hour petrol forecourt with an alcohol licence on Salford Road, Bolton. They described the levy as ‘a blunt instrument which lacks flexibility’.
Their statement, said: “We would respectfully point out that to many businesses the levy would not be a