The Bolton Town Centre late night levy is one vote away from approval by the authorities a year and a half after the introduction of the idea.

The tax on those with a late night licence is one way to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour in areas like Bradshawgate.

According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), there is "a really, really robust policing response", but it is at a price of more than £300,000 in the last year and a half in Bolton Town Centre.

The tax on those with a late night licence to provide any refreshment between the hours of 3am and 6am is to provide for the policing response and the associated activities by Bolton Council.

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Chief Inspector Justine Topping, of GMP Bolton, said: "Despite a really, really robust policing response in the town centre it is the number one hotspot for GMP Bolton and it is one of the hotspots for Greater Manchester outside the city centre.

"A levy would help us with our policing response in the town centre."

(Image: Bolton Council)

The chief inspector was talking to councillors on a Licensing Committee who showed support for the late night levy this week.

As a result the late night levy is one vote from approval with the decision due at a meeting at the town hall in two weeks' time.

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Sean Fielding, one of the councillors on the Licensing Committee, said: "I support the proposal because it is a part of the vision for what we want to do in the town centre.

"There are responsible operators out there and the responsible operators out there want to work with us so there is a lot of energy for us to tap into in the town centre."

All affected businesses are split across Band A to Band E based on the affected businesses' rateable value or rental value.

All revenue is split between the authorities, in this case the council, and the police, in this case GMP, to be spent in Bolton.

Band A - rateable value of £0 to £4300 - £299/year
Band B - rateable value of £4301 to £33000 - £768/year
Band C - rateable value of £33001 to £87000 - £1259/year
Band D - rateable value of £87001 to £125000 - £1365/year
Band E - rateable value of £125001 and above - £1493/year
Band D x 2 multiplier = £2730/year*
Band E x 3 multiplier = £4440/year*

*The multiplier is for businesses in Band D and Band E where the sale of alcohol is their primary purpose or sole purpose.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.