London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé has appealed to London’s local council authorities to suspend licence fees and late night levy fees for hospitality businesses for 12 months in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter is clearly endorsed by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and emphasises the need of businesses in London’s night time sector to be supported.
The letter is published in full below, thank you Amy.
Dear Councillor
I am writing to ask for your help in supporting London’s night time businesses at this critical time.
Across the capital, our licensed venues, pubs, restaurants, bars and clubs are now at severe risk of permanent closure due to COVID-19. Some, like grassroots live music venues and LGBTQ+ spaces, are especially vulnerable as their numbers have only just stabilised after a decade of decline.
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.
I would like to thank you and your colleagues for everything you are doing to support businesses in this crisis. I have spoken to many business owners who are grateful for the speed with which you have acted. Your business rates and finance teams deserve huge credit for their incredible work, issuing business rates relief and ensuring businesses can access grants quickly and easily.
London is facing an extraordinary challenge and if I can be of support to you or your colleagues in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Amy Lamé
Night Czar