Southampton City Council’s decision to introduce a late-night levy for bars and clubs has been branded a ‘disappointment’ by business leaders.
Venues that serve alcohol between midnight and six am will soon be charged up to £4,440 every year, with funds being used to cover city clean ups and policing costs.
Councillors claim the move will cut anti social behaviour and cover costs incurred by the nighttime economy.
A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said the charge would ‘keep Southampton a safe and enjoyable place late at night’.
However the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) today said the decision should only have been taken as a ‘last resort’.
‘There is a danger that this levy may undermine support and funding for best-practice schemes, such as Best Bar None, already in place in Southampton, which the council recognises already make the city a safe and enjoyable late-night destination,’ said ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls.
‘We urge the council to work with businesses to ensure that the progress being made by retailers in Southampton is not diluted and to ensure that all revenues raised by the levy are put to use protecting and developing Southampton’s late-night economy.’
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