No late-night levy over fears for Bognor pub industry

A tax on Bognor Regis pubs and clubs open after midnight has been ruled out.

Councillors agreed to opt out of the government’s proposed late night levy for licensed premises after they were told it could wreck the industry.

The decision by Arun District Council’s licensing and enforcement committee last Friday followed a report by its licensing and development officer, Sarah Meertens.

The levy would cost businesses between an extra £399 up to £4,440 based on their rateable value.

“When I am out and about working at night, visiting the premises, I am being told things are very quiet,” she said.

“The feedback from these businesses is that a lot of them are saying this could be the straw that breaks their backs if there is an extra expense at the moment.

“That might result in them curtailing their hours and that would stop the night-time economy.”

She also told the committee she believed the need for extra policing which levy was supposed to provide was unnecessary.