Late night pubs and bars in Kingston could face 'alcohol tax' to pay for police

Plans to implement a late night levy would see premises supplying alcohol between midnight and 6am having to pay an additional fee, to cover the cost of late night policing.

But bar owners potentially affected by the charge have expressed concerns. 

The levy scheme, introduced in 2011, can only be applied to a borough as a whole, and not just parts with a high concentration of late night premises such as Kingston town centre.

Frank Bartley, owner of the Saucy Kettle pub in Brighton Road, Surbiton, said: “We have three door staff every Friday and Saturday when we’re open after midnight and, unless there is a violent crime, we don’t call the police at all.

“We won’t see any more police on the street here.

"I can understand it in Kingston town centre which is patrolled but not in a place like Surbiton.”

According to a report by Kingston Council’s environmental health and trading standards, the levy is shared between the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime - which gets at least 70 per cent of the money raised - and the council.

Money received by the council from the levy must be spent on tackling alcohol related crime and disorder.

Several premises are exempt from the levy, including hotels, theatres, bingo halls, community sports clubs and premises who are part of Kingstonfirst.

The matter is due to be discussed at a meeting of Kingston Council’s licensing committee tonight

But speaking ahead of the meeting, licensing committee chair Chrissie Hitchcock also expressed doubts about the scheme.

She said: “It’s very complicated.

“As far as Kingston town centre is concerned, I would probably say yes to the levy.

"But if I was a councillor from New Malden or Norbiton, I might not think it was necessary.

“What we’re also not clear on is what percentage Kingston police would get back.

“Given our police stats are very good, it might be another thing where we lose out, and that’s what I don’t like.”