Pubs, clubs, bars and off-licences may soon be whacked with a late-night alcohol levy under proposals being discussed by Kingston Council.

Businesses selling alcohol between midnight and 6am- the time slot may vary if the council decide to otherwise- could be forced to pay up to £1,493 to cover the cost of late night policing.

The Late Night Levy Scheme, introduced in 2011, is a discretionary power which councils can adopt to help police tackle alcohol related crime and disorder.

It can only be applied to the borough as a whole, despite some areas being much busier and in need of more policing than others.

Rejected by the council in 2013 on the grounds that the “potential costs outweighed the potential benefits”, the funds raised from the levy would be shared between the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime, which gets 70 per cent, and the council.

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

The council has calculated it would raise about £110,000 yearly from the fees, less than the estimated £136,000 in 2013, the reduction of which has been put down to businesses closing down in the borough.

The feasibility of the levy will be decided on during tomorrow’s licensing committee (November 1).

Will your business be affected by the levy? Let us know: grainne.cuffe@newsquest.co.uk