Save the Pub Group calls on Government to protect Community Pubs from Proposed Late Night Licence Levy
July 13, 2010 3:00 PM
In response to a proposed levy on late night licences for bars and pubs, Greg Mulholland MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, has written to Home Office Minister James Brokenshire MP.
Greg has urged him to take measures that will ensure that community pubs will not be harmed by the proposed levy.
The levy is meant to compensate for the police costs incurred by late night binge drinking, but could cause undue harm to community pubs that do not contribute to alcohol-related crime.
Commenting Greg said:
"The proposed late night levy is too broad and takes no account of the fact that some community pubs now choose to open a little a later on a Friday or Saturday night.
"In actual fact, having community pubs open a bit later can be a positive thing, rather than the old days of everyone who wanted a pint after 11pm being forced to go to nightclubs and bars.
"This legislation needs to be better targeted so the venues contributing to the cost of policing are only those that cause a problem and must not lead to people once again not having the option of a sociable pint at the weekend."
Commenting Save the Pub Vice-Chair Lord Bilston said:
"I sincerely hope that the Minister responsible will not by his actions further damage the very fragile state of our community pubs and the services they provide.
"It is therefore very incumbent that the Minister recognises the value that millions of people place on these services and the community spirit that is engendered by community pubs."
Commenting CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner said:
"Well-run community pubs and not for profit members clubs should not be forced to return to a uniform 11pm closing time as the result of the threat of a late night opening levy.
"Any late night levy should only be applied to those late night licensed premises which can be shown to contribute to public nuisance and disorder. This should include those supermarkets and off licenses which sell alcohol at irresponsibly low prices which encourages drinking on our streets and in our public parks."
Ends
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