Concern over Wellingborough pub's bid for longer opening hours

Town council worried over effect on neighbours
The Volunteer, Midland Road, WellingboroughThe Volunteer, Midland Road, Wellingborough
The Volunteer, Midland Road, Wellingborough

A bid to extend the licencing hours of a Wellingborough pub until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and 4am on New Year's Eve has raised a concern from the town council.

Wellingborough Town Council has written to North Northamptonshire Council's licensing team regarding the application for The Volunteer in Midland Road.

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It stated its concern is the close proximity of neighbours, but if mitigations have been addressed then it would be willing for the application to be approved.

The application to vary the premises licence is due to be heard by the council's licensing sub committee on Tuesday (June 29).

A report to the committee states: 'The application is to vary the hours permitted for the sale of alcohol from; Monday – Saturday 8am – 11pm and Sunday, 10am – 10.30pm and extend the hours to;

'Monday – Thursday 8am - midnight; Friday – Saturday 8am - 2am; Sunday 10am - midnight; New Year's Eve until 4am.

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'The application also seeks to add recorded music on to the licence: Monday – Thursday 8am - midnight; Friday – Saturday 8am - 2am; Sunday 10am - midnight and New Year's Eve until 4am.'

'The hours that the premises are open to the public are to be extended from: Monday to Saturday 8am - 11pm, Sunday 10am - 10.30pm and altered to; Monday – Thursday 8am - midnight, Friday – Saturday 8am - 2am,

Sunday 10am - midnight, New Year's Eve Until 4am.'

The representation from the town council states: 'The committee expressed concerns of the sale of alcohol until 2am on a Friday and Saturday and 4am on New Year's Eve.

'This concern is due to the close proximity of neighbours and residents and anti-social behaviour.

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'The committee seeks clarification from the licensing team at North Northamptonshire Council on the mitigations for neighbouring residents should this application be recommended for approval.

'If these mitigations have been addressed, the council would be willing for the application to be approved.'

Under the issues and choices section, the report states: 'The interested party, Wellingborough Town Council, raised concerns over the sale of alcohol until 2am on a Friday and Saturday, and 4am on New Year’s Eve, due to the close proximity of neighbouring residents and the potential for anti-social behaviour.

'The town council requested clarification from the licensing team on the proposed mitigation measures for neighbouring residents and indicated that if suitable mitigations were in place to address their concerns, they would be willing for the application to be approved.

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'The applicant had not, however, detailed any steps they would take to promote the licensing objectives within the application to vary the licence.

'The current licence also does not detail mitigation measures.

'The police have liaised with the applicant and have reached agreement that the below should be added to the premises licence as conditions;

'After 11pm, admittance to the premises by members of the public will only be permitted by the use of a door entry system controlled by the premises licence holder/designated premises supervisor.

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'A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises where the only acceptable forms of identification are recognised photographic identification cards, such as a driving licence, passport or proof of age card with the PASS (Proof of Age Standard Scheme) hologram.'