The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee of Leicestershire Council met on Monday 17 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the application for a new premises licence for The Green Dragon Pub and a review of the existing licence for The Blue Orchid Nightclub. Decisions were made to grant the new licence with conditions and to suspend the nightclub's licence for three months.

New Premises Licence for The Green Dragon Pub

The committee reviewed an application for a new premises licence for The Green Dragon Pub. The application included provisions for live music, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol. Residents expressed concerns about potential noise and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Jane Smith argued that the pub could boost local business and provide a community hub, stating, The Green Dragon has the potential to become a cornerstone of our community, provided it operates responsibly. In contrast, local resident John Doe raised concerns about noise, saying, We already struggle with noise levels in the area; adding another late-night venue could exacerbate the problem.

The committee decided to grant the licence with conditions, including a requirement for soundproofing measures and a restriction on live music after 11 pm.

Review of The Blue Orchid Nightclub Licence

The committee also conducted a review of the existing licence for The Blue Orchid Nightclub, following complaints about noise, violence, and underage drinking. The police provided evidence of several incidents, including a brawl that resulted in multiple injuries.

Councillor Michael Brown highlighted the severity of the issues, stating, The Blue Orchid has become a hotspot for criminal activity, and immediate action is necessary to protect public safety. The nightclub's owner, Sarah Johnson, argued that they were taking steps to address the problems, including hiring additional security and implementing stricter ID checks.

After deliberation, the committee decided to suspend the nightclub's licence for three months to allow time for these measures to be put in place and evaluated.

Other Business

The committee briefly discussed minor amendments to the licensing policy, which were approved without significant debate.

For more details, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.