Police are backing calls for a “late-night levy” to make bars and clubs pay for the cost of keeping order in the early hours.
Under powers expected to become law in October, councils could impose a fee on venues and off-licences which stay open after a certain time.
The suggestion sparked criticism from landlords who say it could be used as a stealth tax.
The Home Office is planning to introduce “early morning restriction orders” and a “late-night levy” as new powers to curb the problems caused by all-night drinking.
Early-morning restriction orders would allow councils to make all licensed premises in a certain area close by a certain time.
The levy would be a fee paid by all venues or shops which stay open after a certain time, across a whole council area.
The fee would be split between police and councils, to fund policing and street-cleaning.
Costs would range from £299 for the smallest venues to £4,400 per year for the largest.
Jean Irving, head of licensing for Sussex Police, said the levy would act as a “polluter pays” policy.
She said: “Why should the taxpayer of Brighton and Hove pay extra taxes to clear up the streets of Brighton caused by a late-night economy. Those people causing that should pay.”
She said the levy could be introduced at 2am or 3am, so it would only affect bars open very late.
Brighton and Hove City Council said it is currently considering the Government’s consultation on the powers. A report is expected to be considered by the council’s licensing committee in March.
Publican's reaction
Nick Griffin, of Brighton and Hove Licensees Association, said he opposes the levy.
Mr Griffin, managing director of Pleisure Pubs, which includes the Saint James in Madeira Place, said he would press the council not to introduce a charge.
He said: “The police are bound to be in favour of it. It is more money for them.
"The reality is that it is another burden on pubs, which are really struggling at the moment. The last thing they need is to have another tax imposed on them.”
Leo Day, of the Golden Lion Pub Group which has eight pubs including Cricketers in Black Lion Street, said: “Staggered closing times work well as they are.
“I can understand why they are doing it in certain areas but personally I don’t think Brighton and Hove needs it.”
Russell Haynes, of the Concorde II in Madeira Drive, said clubs away from busy centres should not be penalised.
He said: “They should be able to target areas. Otherwise, if you have got pubs or clubs which keep good order and which the police are not called to on a regular basis are the ones that are going to suffer."
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