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The Bench Report
Alcohol Late Night Levy Explained: Reforms and Your Business
The Late Night Levy is a charge on premises licensed to sell alcohol between midnight and 6 am in England and Wales. Implemented by local authorities, its primary purpose is to help fund policing costs for the late-night economy. At least 70% of the net revenue goes to the police, with the rest supporting local authority services that manage the night-time economy, such as reducing crime and public nuisance. Significant reforms introduced in July 2023 aimed to make the levy more flexible, including targeting specific areas, extending it to late-night refreshment outlets, and increasing transparency.
Key Takeaways:
- The Late Night Levy is applied by local authorities to businesses licensed to sell alcohol during a specific "late night supply period," typically between midnight and 6 am.
- Net revenue from the levy is split, with at least 70% going to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and up to 30% retained by the licensing authority for night-time economy management services like crime reduction and public safety.
- Key reforms came into force on 13 July 2023. These changes allow licensing authorities to target specific geographical locations, include late night refreshment outlets, enable PCCs to request a levy, and require publishing how funds are spent.
- Licensing authorities can offer a 30% reduction for premises in best practice schemes or those qualifying for small business rate relief.
- Specific types of premises, such as hotels with overnight accommodation, theatres, cinemas, and community pubs, can be considered for exemptions from the levy.
- The reforms followed concerns that the levy was "inflexible" and had not been widely adopted by local authorities.
Definitions and Concepts:
- Late Night Levy: A charge imposed by local authorities on premises licensed to sell alcohol during a specific "late night supply period" (midnight to 6 am).
- Licensing Authority: The local council or body responsible for granting alcohol licenses and implementing the late night levy in its area.
Source: Alcohol licensing: the late night levy
Research Briefing
Published Tuesday, 22 July, 2025
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Hello and welcome to Get to the Bench Report. You're listening to Amy and Ivan. Today we're looking into a policy that quietly shapes every late night outing you have in England and Wales, the late night levy. It's really all about how the financial burden of late night activities gets managed.
Amy:It is. It's quite something how this single policy can directly affect both local economies and public safety. Understanding it is pretty key to seeing how our nighttime spaces function and thrive, hopefully.
Ivan:OK, so let's break it down. What exactly is this levy? Who's actually on the hook for it?
Amy:So the late night levy is a power that local authorities have. They can use it to charge premises licensed to sell alcohol. This generally applies if they operate between midnight and 6 a.m., though or the council itself chooses the specific hours within that window.
Ivan:And the point of collecting this money, where does it actually end up?
Amy:The net revenue, so the money left after collection costs, directly funds policing the late night economy. A big chunk, at least 70%, must go to the police and crime commissioners, the PCCs.
Ivan:Ah, the elected police overseers.
Amy:Exactly. They handle the policing budget side. The rest, up to 30%, the licensing authority keeps. And that 30% helps pay for other things vital for the nighttime scene crime reduction work, safety initiatives, tackling public nuisances, even, you know, cleaning up afterwards.
Ivan:Sounds like quite a direct way to fund those essential services. But for the businesses paying, are there ways to get a bit of a break? Reductions, maybe exemptions?
Amy:There are, yes. Licensing authorities have the option to offer a 30% reduction. This can apply if a place is part of a best practice scheme showing responsible operation, or if it's quite small, specifically a rateable value under £12,000.
Ivan:That's the property's sort of rental value estimate, right?
Amy:That's the one used for business rates. And then there are exemptions. Certain categories are usually excluded. Think places offering overnight accommodation, theaters, cinemas, bingo halls, community amateur sports clubs, other community premises to also those quaint country village pubs and areas designated as business improvement districts. But it's important that authorities can't just exempt one specific pub or club they like. It has to be these broad categories.
Ivan:Got it. Now, despite this clear purpose, The levy hasn't always been popular. There were big reforms in July 2023. What prompted those? What were the main issues?
Amy:Well, for a long time, the main criticism was that it was just too inflexible, rigid, really. The Policing and Crime Act back in 2017 actually tried to pave the way for more flexibility, fairness and transparency.
Ivan:So what are the 2023 changes actually do?
Amy:The key reforms that kicked in last year were pretty significant. They allow councils to target specific geographical areas now. So not just a blanket charge everywhere. They also They've also extended the levy to cover late night refreshment outlets, you know, takeaways and similar places open after 11 p.m.
Ivan:Ah, so not just alcohol sellers anymore.
Amy:Correct. Though those refreshment places can also get the 30 percent small business reduction. Also, police and crime commissioners can now formally ask for a levy to be introduced. And crucially, perhaps, councils now have to publish details on how they spend the money. More transparency.
Ivan:Seems like direct responses to that earlier criticism. What were the main arguments flying about in the lead-up?
Amy:Oh, the debate's been going for years. Way back in 2017, a House of Lords committee actually suggested scrapping it altogether or at the very least splitting the money 50-50 between police and councils. The government didn't go for that, though.
Ivan:And the industry view?
Amy:Pretty consistent. As recently as 2022, they were still calling it just another additional tax, an extra burden. But the government around the same time held the line that it was a useful tool. They admitted it wasn't popular, but stressed it served a practical purpose. So these latest forms, especially bringing in the refreshment providers, came after a lot of consultation and finally started last July.
Ivan:So pulling this together, if you're a business owner or maybe just someone who enjoys the nightlife, what's the takeaway for you now?
Amy:I mean, fundamentally, this policy is a constant balancing act, isn't it? It's trying to keep town centers vibrant and economically active late at night, while also dealing with the real issues of public safety and keeping order. It represents this ongoing negotiation, really, between what local communities need, what businesses need, and what the public services like police and council need to keep things running smoothly when it gets dark.
Ivan:It really does show how a seemingly simple policy can reflect much bigger economic Take care. Take care.
