UKHospitality welcomes deferral of Redbridge Late Night Levy

UKHospitality has welcomed the London Borough of Redbridge’s Licensing Committee’s decision to defer the introduction of a Late Night Levy until further notice.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said it was a “sensible decision” and is pleased the committee took the trade organisation’s “views into account”.

She added: “There is local business opposition to the introduction of a Late Night Levy in the borough and UKHospitality has warned that it would damage the area’s night-time economy and risks reducing consumer choice.

“We would urge other councils to think again if they are considering the introduction of such punitive measures. The levy is a retrograde measure that will only harm businesses and has already been discredited by a report from the House of Lords.”