The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council met on Friday 29 May 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence. The primary item on the agenda was an application for a premises licence for 61 High Street, Willington, Crook, County Durham DL15 0PF, which was submitted by Mr Ravichandran Sivaguru, Director of Your Local Food and Wine Limited.

Application for a Premises Licence at 61 High Street, Willington

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for a shop located at 61 High Street, Willington, Crook, County Durham DL15 0PF. The applicant, Mr Ravichandran Sivaguru, sought permission to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises between 07:00 and 23:00, seven days a week. The proposed opening hours for the premises were from 06:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

The application had undergone several rounds of mediation. Initially, Mr Sivaguru agreed to amend the requested alcohol supply hours to align with the council's recommended framework hours, changing the proposed start time from 06:00 to 07:00. Further mediation with Durham Constabulary and Durham Trading Standards resulted in the applicant agreeing to additional conditions being added to the licence.

However, the application faced objections during the consultation period. Two representations opposing the application were received: one from Mr R B Nagubadi, a local resident and business owner, and another from Greater Willington Town Council.

Mr Nagubadi, who operates the Willington Post Office and holds a premises licence for alcohol sales from 08:00 to 22:00, expressed concerns about fairness and consistency, arguing that the new premises was being granted more favourable hours than his established business. He also raised concerns about the impact on his livelihood, the lack of necessity given existing alcohol provisions in the area, and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and undermining of licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety. He specifically highlighted concerns about early morning alcohol sales between 07:00 and 08:00, suggesting it could encourage street drinking and anti-social behaviour during a sensitive time of day when commuters, residents, and schoolchildren are present.

Greater Willington Town Council also raised concerns, noting that the application was discussed at their monthly ordinary meeting. Their objections focused on the potential for increased public drinking, littering, anti-social behaviour, and pressure on local police resources. They also expressed concerns about public safety due to increased footfall and potential issues for pedestrians and traffic, and the protection of children from harm through exposure to inappropriate behaviour and potential underage access to alcohol.

The report pack indicated that the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Planning Department had no comments to make, and Durham Constabulary had no objections after the licence holder agreed to amend the proposed conditions.

The Sub-Committee was asked to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, giving appropriate weight to the steps taken to promote these objectives, the representations made, the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Guidance issued to local authorities under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The report pack outlined several options for the Sub-Committee, including granting the licence with conditions, modifying conditions, excluding licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor, or rejecting the application entirely.

The report also included appendices detailing the legal implications, consultation process, location plans, the application form itself, and correspondence regarding the mediation and agreed conditions with Environmental Health, Durham Constabulary, and Trading Standards. The Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy and Section 182 Guidance were also provided for reference.

The meeting was scheduled to be open to the public and press, with Councillor John Kinvig, Councillor Matt Burnard, Councillor Chris Foote-Wood, and Councillor Steven Franklin listed as attendees.