Pubs and bars today demanded a tax on late opening is waived as it emerged many are still being charged thousands despite having to close at 10pm.
The levy is charged by some councils to venues that are open after midnight to bring in extra funds to pay for services around the night time economy such as extra policing and street clean-ups.
But businesses say it is “hugely unfair” authorities are continuing to collect the yearly fee despite lockdown measures that have put a curfew on their opening hours.
Total fees can be up to nearly £6,000 a year in larger venues. Bars say they have also already been charged for the months they were closed completely during lockdown.
Henry Conlon, the chairman of the Camden Inner London Licensees Association and landlord of the Dublin Castle grassroots music venue, said having to pay is another “blow” to businesses on the brink due to Covid-19.
He said: “We are all struggling at the moment and to make us pay when we are not open late is hugely unfair. Our recent bills are for the coming year, so we believe it would make sense for the fee to be waived as it’s for a time when we aren’t open.”
The Home Office, which introduced the power for local authorities to charge the levy, has said it has asked local authorities to make “a judgment” on making eligible venues pay.
But local authorities say they are obliged to collect the charges until the Government makes changes to legislation, and at best they can defer payment.
A Camden council spokesman said: “Local authorities like Camden do not have the legal powers to suspend or vary fees such as the Late Night Levy.
The requirement to pay an annual fee for a premises licence is set out in legislation and the Government has so far not opted to relax this requirement, despite ordering premises to close by 10pm.”
