Licensing News
The Licensing Act 2003 changed the licensing systems for liquor, public entertainment and late night refreshment into a single licensing system and transferred the authority for liquor licensing from magistrate’s courts to local councils. The Act promoted four statutory objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.
In the Southgate Green Conservation Area, five premises applied to convert their licence under the new rules and consultation took place about the proposed changes to hours, entertainment and sale of refreshments. The Association commented on ALL applications and attended some of the special licensing panel hearings. Some residents also attended on their own account to put their objections. Some premises had applied for permission to open at non-standard times for the transmission of international sporting events. This was NOT granted in any case and the Association welcomed this decision. This could have meant all-night opening which would have impacted adversely on the residential amenities of the area by attracting customers from outside the area who would have difficulty finding public transport in the early hours. Members’ comments were considered by the licensing panel and in some cases helped to reduce the breadth of requests which accompanied some applications, particularly with regard to lateness of hours.
All premises have different seating capacities, patterns of usage and parking arrangements. Premises still retain the right to apply for up to 10 special event licenses a year and an apply to vary the hours and/or conditions of their current licences. The Cherry Tree had different rules because of the adjoining hotel. Below are summaries which indicate the conditions now applicable to different premises. The closing times cited exclude 30 minutes for drinking up time.
Ye Olde Cherry Tree:
22 The Green
Permitted Hours for sale of alcohol-
Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 23:30Conditions:
Prevention of Crime and Disorder:-
- CCTV system regularly maintained and images kept for a month
- Toilets checked and a log kept
- Signs displayed about company policy on Drug use
Prevention of Public Nuisance:-
- The beer Garden not be used after 22:50 Mon-Sat and 22:20 on Sundays
- Signs asking patrons to leave quietly
- Barrier fitted to Car Park
Prevention of Children from harm:-
- Children under 14 not permitted in the bar area, except as resident of the hotel
- Children under 18 not permitted on the premises after midnight except as hotel residen
The Cherry Tree did not proceed with their original requests for daily regulated entertainment, transmissions of international sporting events, or additional hours on numerous holiday and special occasion days.
The Woolpack
55 High Street
Permitted hours for sale of alcohol
– Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00, Fri and Sat 11:00 to 00:00 and Sunday from 12 to 22:00.Regulated entertainment allowed
Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 23:00. and Sunday to 22:30.Conditions:
Prevention of Crime and Disorder
- Public toilets checked regularly and a log maintained
- Signs displayed warning customers about drug use
- No entry after 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
- Premise to operate ‘Proof of Age’ scheme
Public Safety;-
The gate from the garden secured by simple fastening
Prevention of public nuisance
- Maximum number of customers not to exceed 80
- External windows kept closed during regulated entertainment.
- Notices requesting customers to leave quietly
- Supervisory staff at entrance when regulated entertainment takes place to ensure local noise is avoided
- Subjective noise assessments to be made by manager
- Signs displayed at all exits advising patrons that the premises are in a ‘Drinking control area’ and that alcohol should not be taken or consumed off the premises.
Protection of Children from Harm
- Children under 14 only permitted on premises until 9 p.m. when accompanied by an adult and when food and non-alcoholic drinks are available.
- No children under 18 permitted on the premises after 11 p.m.
The Woolpack did not proceed with their request for transmission of international sporting events nor were granted additional holiday and special occasion extra days.
The Masonic Centre
88 High Street
Permitted hours for the sale of alcohol
6 p.m. to 00:30 Monday to SundayRegulated Entertainment permitted
Monday through Sunday6 p.m. to 00:30 a.m.
Alcohol permitted to be served to visitors (non Freemasons)
Conditions:
Preventions of Public Nuisance
- Signs requesting customers to leave premises quietly
- External Windows and doors closed during regulated entertainment
- Subjective noise assessments by manager at regular intervals
St. Monica’s Catholic Social Club
6 Cannon Hill
Permitted hours for the sale of Alcohol –
Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 00:00Regulated Entertainment
- Saturdays only to 00:00Conditions:
Public Safety
- Some external doors to have fire exit signs fitted
- Procedure to ensure that all fire exits are unlocked when licenseable activities take place
Prevention of Nuisance
- Doors and Windows to remain closed during regulated entertainment
- Subjective noise assessments by manager at regular intervals
- Club committee member to ensure guests leave premises /carpark without causing disturbance
- Signs displayed to advertise leaving premises quietly
Protection of Children from harm
- Children under 14 not permitted in the bar area or on the premises after 10 p.m.
- Children under 18 not permitted to remain on the premises after 23:00
Walker Cricket Ground
174 Waterfall Road
Permitted Hours for the sale of alcohol
- Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 00:30 and Sunday from 11:00 to 22:30.
Regulated entertainment
– 24 occasions per yearConditions:
Manager to conduct regular noise assessment from site boundary during regulated entertainment