Disappointment over lack of formal review for Late Night Levy

Responding to the Government’s response to the House of Lords Liaison Committee’s Report on the Licensing Act 2003, released yesterday (8 November), the trade body reaffirmed its call for the levy to be abolished in view of the significant extra cost pressures it places on hospitality businesses.

Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chief executive, said: “Any review would no doubt show the enormous impact of the levy on business and UKHospitality continues to call for the levy to be abolished.”

Nicholls continued that it was more important than ever for the Government to work in partnership with the sector to create the best regulatory environment for businesses to thrive.

“Two examples of that coming out in this response is the Government’s reiteration of the decision to make a low-cost, low-admin pavement licensing scheme permanent and enshrining the ‘agent of change’ principle in licensing guidance, which UKHospitality called for in our evidence to the committee and long beforehand.

“We also remain of the view that strengthening ‘agent of change’ should be included in future reviews of wider planning policy.”

In its own response, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), which represents some 1,400 independent bars, clubs and live music venues across the UK, said the Government had missed an opportunity to make a credible difference to licensing and the planning regime.

“As an industry we are extremely disappointed by the governments response. In all honesty, we are not completely in agreement with all recommendations held within the House of Lords Select Committee review on the Licensing Act 2003, but where the Government had a clear opportunity to make a credible difference,” said Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA.

“The response was in the main around acknowledgement and ongoing concern, a rhetoric which has no value to the evolution of licensing and planning within our sector.”