UKHospitality has criticised proposals put forward by Westminster City Council to introduce a late-night levy in the city of London as “a mistake,” despite welcoming a number of other proposals to boost evening trade.

The Westminster After Dark strategy includes plans for new late-night entertainment zones, wider night transport networks, and a unified licensing policy framework, but the trade body said new taxes would be “unnecessary.”

“Much of what Westminster City Council has proposed is positive for the night-time economy, but these initiatives would be undermined if further, unnecessary costs are forced on hospitality businesses,” said UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls.

“Venues are already battling with the additional £3.4bn annual increase imposed upon them in April and implementing further taxes in some of London’s most well-known and vibrant areas, like Soho, would be a huge mistake.”

The group encouraged Westminster to abandon plans for the levy, but encouraged other policies such as increased CCTV coverage and embedding the “agent of change” principle.