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Using new powers granted to it, a Suffolk district council has issued its first extensions to pub opening hours – but only after ensuring that any potential disturbances will be kept to a minimum.
On June 16th, Babergh District Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider two applications – both from Punch Taverns PLC owners of The White Horse at Capel St. Mary and The Case is Altered in Bentley. Both pubs sought to open for longer than the usual ‘permitted hours’ (ie 10.00 hours until 23.00 hours during weekdays and 12.00 hours until 22.30 hours on Sundays).
Cllr. Brian Lazenby, Chairman of the Licensing & Appeals Committee remarked that “the aim of all the Councillors involved is to balance the interests of owners, employees, customers and the neighbours of any business wishing to extend its opening hours. In both these cases, we spent a considerable amount of time considering the various submissions from the owners, residents and other bodies such as the Police and Babergh’s Environmental Health Team and felt that with the restrictions in place the pubs could extend their opening times”.
The extended hours granted on both applications were generally to increase existing hours of operation by one hour during the week and two hours at weekends and most bank holidays, subject to control measures agreed with the applicant.
The premises licence does not require any renewal, but the Licensing Act 2003 contains various offences and additional powers for the Police and other authorities, including the power to instantly close premises should there be instances of occurring or anticipated disorder.
Cllr. Lazenby also reminded local venues and individuals selling alcohol and providing public entertainments that under the Licensing Act 2003 they must apply for a new licence. To date only a handful of those businesses and leisure facilities in the district affected by the changes have done so.
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