LATE-NIGHT businesses considering opening in a North-East town face a discouraging "tax".

Depending on the size of their operation, anyone opening a nightclub, pub or food take-away in Middlesbrough may have to pay as much as £8,500 under new planning guidelines being adopted by the council.

The money, which will pay for extra street cleaning, security cameras, police patrols and street wardens, is a move aimed at stemming the tide of dozens of shop conversions a year into bars and takeaways.

The guidelines give councils the power to levy a financial contribution through planning legislation when a new pub, club or take-away receives planning permission or an existing business proposes changes needing planning approval.

Barry Falconer, of the Empire club, said late opening businesses should keep their own frontage clean - but likens the planned levy to the return of Robin Hood.

He said: "We pay enough in taxes and VAT without having to take on any more.

"We may as well have Robin Hood with his bow and arrows or the Sheriff of Nottingham hiding around every street corner. It's very easy to charge levies, but who pays for it? - the paying customer, who pays enough as it is.''

Defending the proposal, executive board member for the environment, Councillor Ron Lowes, said: "The first factor is that the kind of businesses we are talking about, which operate late at night and attract large numbers of people, can cause a nuisance to residents and make work for the council, police and other agencies, despite how well they may be run.

"It is absolutely right they should pay towards extra policing, security or clean up costs.

"The second factor is the need to maintain the town centre first and foremost as a retail centre. That is absolutely vital if we are to attract visitors, shoppers and good quality businesses to Middlesbrough.''