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Complain about a licensed premises

 
If a licensed premises - a bar, club or pub for example - is disturbing you with persistent noise or mess, lack of consideration for safety or welfare of local residents, you can ask for the licence to be reviewed.

Of course, we can't review a licence immediately after it has been issued - we have to let a reasonable amount of time pass to see if the conditions of the licence are being met. This usually means 12 months, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

To ask for a review:

We will not accept a request from interested parties if the request is frivolous, repetitious or vexatious.

How do I apply for a review?

1. You must complete an application for review form. 

The form asks you:

  • your name and address (we can't accept anonymous requests)
  • what category of interested party you are
  • which of the four licensing objectives is not being met
  • why you are asking for a review
  • whether you have made any such applications before, and when. 
You can be fined up to £5,000 if you make a false statement on the application form!

2. On receipt of an application from interested parties, the Council will supply it to: 

What happens with my application?

The Council will display an advertisement of your application at the premises for 28 days. This advertisement does not give your name and address. We will also write to all persons living within 100 metres of the premises to advise them of your application (where appropriate). This allows other interested parties to make comments on the application.

If your application is accepted, we will initially try to resolve the matter by mediation. A meeting will be held between the Council, the person requesting the review, and the Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate holder.

If all parties can agree a way forward, there will be no need to hold a full hearing. However, the licensing sub-committee would have to agree to any extra conditions placed on the licence.

What if we cannot reach a compromise?

The Council will hold a Licensing Sub Committee meeting to determine your application. The Councillors will listen to evidence from both parties at a public hearing, before deciding what action to take. They can:

1. Modify the licence conditions
2. Exclude a licensable activity from the licence
3. Give a warning to the licence holder
4. Remove the designated premises supervisor
5. Suspend the licence for a period of not more than three months
6. Revoke the licence.

At the hearing, you are only allowed to comment or expand on the matters raised in your request for a review You cannot bring extra evidence to the meeting, or raise any other issues other than those referred to you in your application.

After the hearing

If you are not happy with the decision made at the hearing, you

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