Notice of intent to introduce a late night levy

Decision notice to introduce a late night levy in the London Borough of Southwark

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, Chapter 2 of Part 2 the Late Night Levy (Application and Administration) Regulations 2012 The Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012

The London Borough of Southwark has decided to introduce across the whole of the Borough, a requirement that holders of premises licenses or club premises certificates that authorise the sale/supply of alcohol (both on and off sales) at any time between 00:01am and 6am (00:01 to 06:00 hours) on one or more days in the year shall pay a late night levy.

A summary of the introduction and application is below:

1. The amount of the levy is set by the UK Government and is a yearly amount between £299 and £4,440, depending on the rateable value of the premises and their actual use.
2. The Council has decided that the late night levy will be introduced on 1 September 2019 across the whole Borough.
3. The Council has decided that the late night supply period will begin at 00:01hrs and end at 06:00hrs every day. Only premises which are authorised to sell/supply alcohol (both on and off sales) during this time will be subject to the levy.
4. The Council has decided to exempt the following permitted categories of premises from paying the levy as defined in the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012:
   • Premises with overnight accommodation, where alcohol can only be supplied to persons staying at the premises for consumption on the premises, ie not supplied to members of the public that are not staying overnight at the premises;
   • Theatres and cinemas;
   • Community Amateur Sports Clubs;
   • New Year’s Day (ie 1 January) premises only (this relates to premises which are authorised to supply/sell alcohol between 00:01 hours and 06:00 hours, ONLY on New Year's Day).
5. The Council has decided that a reduction of 30% be granted to premises licence holders in relation to on-trade premises that are in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief (as specified in Part III of the Local Government Finance Act 1988) and have a rateable value of £12,000 or less.
6. The Council has decided NOT to grant an exemption for:
   • Country Village Pubs;
   • Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as defined in sections 4(g) and 4(h) of the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations;
   • Bingo Halls;
   • Community Premises
7. The Council has decided not to grant a reduction of 30% for members of a best practice scheme.
8. A review of the levy including exemptions and reductions to take place after 12 months of operation of the levy.
9. The Council has an agreement with the Deputy Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime (MOPAC) that the allocation of the revenue from the Late Night Levy (this includes their statutory 70% split of the revenue), will be managed through the current Night Time Economy contract with the Metropolitan Police.
10. The Council will allow Licence holders to make an application to vary their Licence under sections 41A or 86A (minor variation) of the Licensing Act 2003. There will be no fee for such valid application provided it is received by the Council no later than 30 August 2019 and not before 26 July 2019. This applies only for reduction of licensed hours for sale/supply of alcohol so they do not fall within the operational hours of the Levy (00:01 to 06:00 hours).

More information about the decision to implement the late night levy is available on the Council’s website or you can write to us at the address below:

Regulatory Services
Licensing Unit
Hub 1, Floor 3
PO Box 64529
London SE1P 5LX

Email: Licensing@southwark.gov.uk

Page last updated: 07 September 2023