Night czar calls on London authorities to grant 12-month licence fee holiday

Night czar Amy Lamé has called on London councils to grant hospitality businesses a licence fee and late-night levy holiday to help them survive the implications of the coronavirus lockdown.

Lamé has written to all London authorities requesting that they mirror the business rates holiday granted by the chancellor by scrapping the charges for a 12-month period.

She wrote: "The government's support package has provided a vital lifeline. However, without customer income, businesses must reduce spending to a bare minimum to avoid permanent closure. We are working with government, local authorities, businesses, landlords and others to ensure that as many night time businesses as possible can survive through this period. They will play a vital role in the recovery of our high streets after the crisis has passed.

"The mayor and I are asking all London local authorities to consider providing their licensed premises with a licence fee holiday for 12 months. This could include suspending collection of annual licence fees and late night levy fees where applicable. It mirrors the business rates holiday for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses."

The night czar went on to thank the councils for their work in issuing rates relief and grants on behalf of the government "quickly and easily".