The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Monday 27 April 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Buckingham Football Club. The meeting's agenda focused on this single application, with extensive documentation provided to members regarding the proposal and the representations received.

Application for a New Premises Licence at Buckingham Football Club

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence for Buckingham Football Club, located at Stratford Road, Buckingham MK18 1NY. The application, submitted by Nathan Tinsley, sought to allow for a wider range of licensable activities and extended operating hours compared to the club's existing Club Premises Certificate.

The proposed licensable activities included the showing of films, performances of dance, live and recorded music, and other entertainment similar to music and dancing, to be permitted both indoors and outdoors. The application also sought to allow the sale of alcohol on the premises. The proposed opening hours for the premises were from 09:00 to 23:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and 09:00 to 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Specific hours were also proposed for the sale of alcohol and the various entertainment activities.

The report pack detailed that during the consultation period, the applicant had initially failed to meet advertising requirements, leading to a restart of the consultation. Following this, the applicant requested amendments to the proposed hours.

A significant portion of the documentation concerned the Relevant Representations received. These are objections or comments that relate to one or more of the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

• Responsible Authorities: The Chief Officer of Police, the Licensing Authority, and the Safeguarding and Child Protection Unit did not submit responses. The Fire and Rescue Authority and the Local Planning Authority (Head of Sustainable Development) provided No comment. The Local Environmental Health Authority, Weights and Measures Authority, and the Primary Care Trust also did not submit responses.
• Other Persons: Twenty-one valid representations were received from other persons, raising concerns related to the licensing objectives. Fifteen of these representations remained after five individuals withdrew theirs. One representation was received in support of the application.

The Licensing Officer's observations highlighted that the representations primarily raised concerns regarding:

• The Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Potential anti-social behaviour associated with customers congregating outside the premises and the late-night hours proposed.
• Prevention of a Public Nuisance: Concerns about increased noise and disturbance from extended hours, particularly from customers using outdoor areas, and issues related to traffic and parking.
• The Protection of Children from Harm: The impact of potential anti-social behaviour on children in the local area.
• Public Safety: Risks associated with an increase in customer numbers and vehicle movements, especially during later hours.

The report also detailed the relevant policy considerations, including the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and national guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. These policies outline the council's approach to promoting the licensing objectives, with specific attention given to issues such as anti-social behaviour, noise escape, customer departure, parking, and the protection of children from harm.

The report outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee, which included granting the licence with conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing the application, or granting the licence with different conditions for different parts of the premises or activities.

The report also listed proposed conditions, which were re-drafted to ensure clarity and enforceability. These conditions covered general operational responsibilities, specific measures for the prevention of crime and disorder (including CCTV requirements and staff training), public safety (including emergency procedures and capacity limits), prevention of public nuisance (including noise control and customer departure management), and the protection of children from harm (including age verification policies).

The report pack included extensive correspondence from local residents detailing their objections, primarily focusing on noise, disturbance, traffic, parking, and the potential impact on children's sleep and well-being. The Buckingham Town Council submitted a representation indicating their support for the application. The applicant, Buckingham Football Club, also provided a detailed response to the representations, outlining proposed amendments and assurances to address residents' concerns, including limiting outdoor entertainment hours and implementing a Noise Management Plan.