Late Night Levy - Town Centre food refreshment premises

Have your say on the inclusion to introduce late night food refreshment premises in Bolton Town Centre’s Late Night Levy

In summer 2023, Bolton Council consulted on a proposal to introduce a late night levy on all Bolton businesses who were licenced to sell alcohol between 3am and 6am.

On 13 July 2023 the government amended the Policing and Crime Act 2017 for all local authorities to include late night refreshment premises (hot food and drink) in the late night levy and removed the need to apply the levy to the whole local authority area.  Following this change, the Council are now proposing that the late night levy should only apply to licensed premises in Bolton Town Centre.

Bolton Town Centre has a vibrant night‐time economy which draws in people from all over Bolton and beyond. It’s a major part of the lively and inclusive atmosphere in Bolton. We’re committed to supporting this and working with businesses to ensure that Bolton is a great place to go out.

However, the late night economy can also bring crime, antisocial behaviour, litter and leave people in need of support. The Council and Police currently fund officers who deal with many of these issues.

A significant number of anti-social behaviour and crime takes place inside or very near to business which are licensed to sell or supply alcohol and/or late night refreshment food between 3am and 6am in Bolton Town Centre.     

Because of this, we're now proposing that a Late Night Levy would only apply to businesses in a zoned area of Bolton Town Centre who have a licence to sell alcohol or supply and/or late night refreshment between 3am and 6am.      

Proposed Late Night Levy Town Centre zoned area

As Bolton Council have already consulted on the proposal for a late night levy on businesses who are licenced to sell or supply alcohol between 3am and 6am, this consultation will now focus on the inclusion of businesses who are licensed to sell or supply food refreshments between 3am and 6am in Bolton Town Centre.     

The consultation report, considered by the Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee on the 31st October is available to view on the Council website at Meetings and Events.

This survey has now closed.