Late Night Levy for premises licensed to sell alcohol in Camden online consultation

Overview

We are consulting on the introduction of a late night levy in Camden. The late night levy is an annual charge payable by licensed premises open between midnight and 6am as a contribution towards the cost of late-night policing and clean-up.

Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback and suggestions before the closing date of Friday 8th May 2015. This will be taken into consideration before a final decision is made on whether to introduce the levy.

Why your views matter

Camden is an inner city area with over 1,600 alcohol licensed premises, of which 289 are licensed to supply alcohol after midnight, contributing to a vibrant night time economy.  This brings benefits to our economy, but at the same time generates additional costs for the council, police and other partners.

Camden is mindful of the balance to be struck between the sometimes competing needs of our residents and those of our business community. It is essential to ensure our residents can peacefully enjoy their homes and environment, whilst also encouraging responsible and positive investment and economic growth.  As there is little separation of commercial and residential areas in much of Camden, this often means that our residents suffer the impacts of the late night economy.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 created the ability for councils to introduce a LNL. It is an additional fee, based on rateable value and set by the government, which all premises licensed to sell alcohol and operating within hours set by the council (called the supply period) have to pay. The council selects the hours of operation – but they must start at or after midnight and end at or before to 6am. The additional funds raised must be spent on extra services that benefit the late night economy.

The LNL will apply to all venues holding a premises licence or club premises certificate that permits the sale of alcohol during the proposed hours of midnight to 6am on one or more days in any year – even if the full licensable hours are not used. It will apply to premises supplying alcohol both for consumption on and off the premises. It will not apply to any venue operating between midnight and 6am under a Temporary Event Notice.

We believe that the late night levy (LNL) can be used to reduce the impact of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour during the levy hours, and improve the local environment.

The decision on whether to adopt the LNL will be made by full council in autumn 2015, taking into account the views expressed through this consultation.

We have to consult with

• The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for London

• The Metropolitan Police Commissioner

• Holders of premises licences and club registration certificates who will be affected by the LNL.

We also want to hear the views of residents and other interested parties in Camden such as councillors, ward partnerships, trade and voluntary sector organisations.

What happens next

Details of the responses to the consultation will be available from the licensing team once it has closed.  

If you wish to discuss, you can contact the licensing team at by telephoning 0207 7974 4444