Bolton Council is asking town centre businesses to review their opening hours ahead of the late night levy introduction in the new year.
From February 2025, premises selling alcohol and/or hot food between the hours of 3am and 6am in the town centre will be required to pay an additional annual ‘levy’ fee.
The late night economy can 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.
70% of the funds raised through the late night levy will go to the police, with the remainder being available to the council to tackle late night alcohol-related crime and disorder, and services connected to the management of the night time economy.
The levy fee will range from £5.75 to £28.72 per week depending on the rateable value of the premises.
There are currently 39 bars, takeaways and off licenses within Bolton town centre which would be subject to the levy.
The council will have the power to suspend the premises licence for non-payment.
The start date for the levy will be 1 February 2025.
Town centre businesses can make an application, free of charge, to amend their licence and vary their opening times, so they do not fall within the operational hours of the levy (3am - 6am).
Applications to vary a licence can be made by completing an online form for a variation to a premises licence.
All applications must be submitted by 31 January 2025.
Cllr Sue Haworth, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:
“A proposal to introduce a late night levy in the town centre was approved earlier this year following a public consultation.
“Any business who wishes to be exempt from the levy charge should apply to change their opening hours as soon as possible.”