PROPOSALS to impose a levy on pubs and clubs selling alcohol after midnight have been kicked out by councillors in Hull.
Ministers say raising special levies from businesses could be one way of meeting the costs of policing streets with large numbers of late-night bars.
But councillors on Hull's licensing committee have voted unanimously against the idea.
They said charging venues was not necessary because of falling crime linked to late-night drinking, particularly in the city centre.
They also claimed the move could end up forcing some bars out of business.
Councillor Sean Chaytor said: "I just don't believe this would work.
"At a time when three pubs a week are closing across the country, it would inappropriate for us to go down this route.
"Drink-related crime and disorder has gone down dramatically in the past couple of years and that is a tribute to all those in the night-time economy."
The city centre was recently awarded Purple Flag status by the Association of Town Centre Management in recognition of a raft of initiatives aimed at making the area a safer place at night.
The measures have included the use of dispersal and banning orders against known troublemakers, the deployment of volunteer Street Angels and accreditation training for door staff.
However, changes in drinking trends have also transformed some areas of the city centre once known as hotspots for trouble.
Speaking at this week's committee, Councillor John Abbott said: "It is not the right time to go for this.
"If the city's economy was booming then perhaps it would be worth looking at but, at the moment, we need to make sure things don't get any worse for businesses in Hull."
Councillors also rejected implementing early morning restriction orders, which have also been created under recent legislation.
Under the new law, councils can make an order requiring venues opening between midnight and 6am to meet certain licensing policies before being allowed to sell alcohol.
A final decision will rest with the full council but the licensing committee's vote against the late- night levy and the early morning restriction order is expected to be repeated.
