Axing night levy won't reduce safety, bosses say

3 hours ago

Daniel HollandLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Industry leaders have called for Newcastle's Late Night Levy to be scrapped as venues struggle with rising costs

EPA Revellers in a nightclub, silhouetted against brightly coloured lights in a dark venue. A bar is lit up in the background and speakers hang overhead. — Industry leaders have called for Newcastle's Late Night Levy to be scrapped as venues struggle with rising costs

Abolishing a city's night-time levy used to pay for enhanced security will not lead to a decline in revellers' safety, bosses have said.

Newcastle City Council will consider axing the extra charge paid by pubs and clubs following requests from businesses facing rising costs.

The Late Night Levy has been in force since 2013, charging an annual fee of between £299 and £4,400 to businesses with a licence to sell alcohol between midnight and 06:00.

The Newcastle Business Improvement District (BID) company NE1, which campaigned for the fee to be dropped, said safety measures paid for through the levy would not be under threat.

'Improve safety'

The levy has been used to pay for a range of measures intended to make the city centre a safer place, including CCTV, marshals, additional police patrols, street pastors, a Safe Haven van on Bigg Market and sexual harassment training, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council's licensing committee is set to discuss the charge on Monday.

If councillors agree to cut it, the decision would need to be referred to a meeting of the full council in October for final approval.

NE1 chief executive Stephen Patterson said abolishing the levy would be an "important first step in giving the sector the support it urgently needs".

He said: "NE1 and the city council are absolutely committed there will be no decline in the safety of the city.

"More than that, we want to improve safety."

'Work with businesses'

It is thought NE1 and the council could set up a new fund, overseen by a governance board of city leaders, to effectively replace the Late Night Levy and dedicate cash towards things like street marshals and the Safe Haven van.

The levy has generated £3.46m since its introduction in 2013.

After administration costs, £2.26m was allocated to the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and £968,432 to the council.

According to a council report, analysis of crime trends in the city centre since 2022 showed a decline in violent and sexual offences, theft, arson and criminal damage, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and assault-related hospital presentations.

However, drug offences, robbery, noise complaints and litter reports had increased.

Police commissioner Susan Dungworth said the force was "fully committed to keeping people safe with patrols" and wanted to work with businesses to "build safer streets and stronger communities for everyone".

Outside London, Liverpool and Newcastle are the only councils still to charge such a levy on late night venues.

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