The Buckinghamshire Council Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for S&S Kitchen, located at 58 Kingsbury, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2JE. The committee decided to issue a counter-notice, refusing the TEN, due to concerns about public nuisance.

Temporary Event Notice for S&S Kitchen Refused

The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council refused a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for S&S Kitchen, located at 58 Kingsbury, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2JE. The application, submitted by Stevie Beckford, sought permission for the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment from midnight to 4 am on 26 July 2026.

The decision to refuse the TEN was made following an objection from Environmental Health, citing concerns that the proposed licensable activities would undermine the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance. While Thames Valley Police raised no objections, Environmental Health presented evidence of ongoing noise complaints from residents living near the premises, particularly concerning amplified music and customer dispersal late into the night.

Environmental Health highlighted that recent complaints, dating from June and July 2026, indicated a pattern of disturbance, with noise from events continuing until approximately 3:49 am. They noted that the premises did not have a formal noise management plan in place and expressed dissatisfaction that the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance would be adequately promoted if the TEN were to proceed.

Stevie Beckford, the applicant, argued that these events were crucial for the survival of her family-run business, S&S Kitchen, which had faced significant financial challenges. She stated that changes had already been implemented, including repositioning speakers, installing vibration-dampening pads, and reducing bass levels. Ms. Beckford also mentioned plans to invest in professional noise monitoring equipment and commission an independent acoustic assessment when financially viable. She highlighted that the TEN was for a temporary event, not a permanent variation, and requested the opportunity to demonstrate responsible operation and continued improvement.

The Sub-Committee acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by S&S Kitchen and the applicant's willingness to work with authorities. However, they placed significant weight on the evidence provided by Environmental Health, who are considered experts in noise nuisance. The committee noted that complaints had been received from three separate residential properties, indicating a widespread impact. Despite the mitigation measures already in place, the continued complaints suggested they were insufficient. The Sub-Committee concluded that the risk of undermining the prevention of public nuisance objective could not be mitigated if the TEN proceeded, and therefore, a counter-notice was issued, refusing the event. The applicant has the right to appeal this decision to the Magistrates Court within 21 days.