The Worthing Licensing and Control Sub-Committee B met to consider an application for a new premises licence for Worthing Pride, an annual three-day music festival held in Steyne Gardens. The application, submitted by Mr Garrie Richardson, sought to authorise the sale of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment. The sub-committee was scheduled to review the application, representations received, and determine whether to grant the licence, grant it with modifications, or reject it.

Worthing Pride Premises Licence Application

The sub-committee was scheduled to review an application made by Mr Garrie Richardson for a new premises licence for the Worthing Pride event, held annually at Steyne Gardens. The application was made on 10 July 2025, and sought to authorise several licensable activities:

• Sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises
• Regulated entertainment, including live music, recorded music, and performance of dance
• Late-night refreshment

The application requested the following hours of operation:

• Friday:
  • Sale of alcohol: 16:00 to 00:00
  • Regulated entertainment: 16:00 to 00:00
  • Late-night refreshment: 23:00 to 00:00
  • Opening to the public: 16:00 to 00:30 (the following morning)
• Saturday:
  • Sale of alcohol: 12:00 to 00:00
  • Regulated entertainment: 12:00 to 00:00
  • Late-night refreshment: 23:00 to 00:00
  • Opening to the public: 12:00 to 00:30 (the following morning)
• Sunday:
  • Sale of alcohol: 12:00 to 21:00
  • Regulated entertainment: 12:00 to 21:00
  • Opening to the public: 12:00 to 21:30

The Public reports pack stated that Worthing Pride had been held successfully each year since 2018, except in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. It had been based at Beach House Grounds until 2022, when it moved to Steyne Gardens under a temporary premises licence held by Mr Garrie Richardson. This temporary licence was due to expire on 30 September 2025, prompting the application for a new, permanent licence.

The report pack noted that the application had received representations from Sussex Police, a responsible authority¹, and 20 members of the public, triggering the sub-committee review.

Representations and Mediation

The Public reports pack included details of representations received regarding the application. Sussex Police initially raised concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children from harm. Twenty representations were received from the public, primarily from residents of Warnes, expressing concerns about potential crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour, noise, and public nuisance. A common concern was the proposed increase in the number of days for the event and the later hours applied for.

The report pack indicated that mediation had taken place between Mr Richardson and Sussex Police, resulting in agreed revisions to the proposed timings and additional conditions. These included:

• Revised Timings:
  • Sale of alcohol:
    • Friday: 16:00 to 23:30
    • Saturday: 12:00 to 23:30
    • Sunday: 12:00 to 20:30
  • Live music & Performance of Dance:
    • Friday: 16:00 to 23:00
    • Saturday: 12:00 to 23:00
    • Sunday: 12:00 to 21:00
  • Recorded Music:
    • Friday: 16:00 to 23:30
    • Saturday: 12:00 to 23:30
    • Sunday: 12:00 to 21:00
  • Late Night Refreshment:
    • Friday: 23:00 to 23:30
    • Saturday: 23:00 to 23:30
  • Opening Hours:
    • Friday: 16:00 to 00:00
    • Saturday: 12:00 to 00:00
    • Sunday: 12:00 to 21:30
• Additional Conditions:
  • Licensable activity authorised within an enclosed concert site for a maximum of 3 days per annum as part of the annual Worthing Pride festival.
  • Submission of an Open Space Event application form, risk assessment, and insurance documents to the council each year.
  • Written approval from Worthing Borough Council's Head of Parks Services for the event and alcohol sales each year.
  • The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) to be on-site while alcohol is sold, or a named person with written delegated authority in their absence.
  • A zero-tolerance policy on illegal drug use, with security holding individuals caught in possession and contacting the police.
  • SIA² registered door supervisors on duty, supplied by a reputable company, wearing CCTV body cameras, and an SIA registered Dog Handler with Drugs Dog on site.
  • The Premises Licence Holder (PLH) to present a draft Event Safety Management Plan (ESMP) to the licensing authority and Safety Advisory Group (SAG) members at least eight weeks before each event.
  • A final ESMP to be presented to responsible authorities at least four weeks before the event, including specific details, Covid risk assessment, plans for managing queues, under 16s and under 18s, safeguarding policies, and a dispersal plan.
  • Compliance with the final ESMP, with no changes without prior written consent from the Licensing Authority.
  • A copy of the agreed ESMP to be kept at the event control marquee and made available to officers of any responsible authority or SAG members upon request.
  • All drinks to be served in plastic glasses, with no glassware permitted in public areas.
  • Event capacity to be monitored constantly using 'clickers' or similar devices.
  • A full event control to be set up with the head of each safety department running alongside the EMP planning team.
  • Provision of a Welfare tent & area.
  • The PLH to provide a noise management plan, agreed with the Council's Environmental Health Officer, including details of noise control measures, complaint procedures, and a designated contact number.
  • The PLH to carry out a sound propagation test to determine maximum sound levels at the mixer desk, agreed with the Council's Environmental Health Officer.
  • All noise monitoring to be carried out with a Class 1 sound level meter.
  • A named person to be delegated responsibility for noise control during the event.
  • No firework displays without prior consent from the Licensing Authority.
  • Compliance with the Guide to Health and Safety and Welfare at Pop Concerts and similar events regarding noise exposure.
  • Provision of adequate temporary toilet facilities and rubbish bins.
  • Customers to be asked to leave the site quietly and respectfully.
  • Provision of toilets, clear signage for leaving quietly, licensed SIA security personnel, the Designated Premises Supervisor, designated bar pitches, and full site signage.
  • The ESMP to cover the admission of under 18s to the event on a year-by-year basis.
  • Unaccompanied children not allowed within bar areas, with entrances controlled by SIA registered door supervisors.
  • A Challenge 25 policy in place at all bars/stalls, advertised on the website/ticket outlets, requiring photographic ID (passport, UK driving licence, or PASS card).
  • All staff employed in the sale of alcohol to be fully trained regarding age-restricted sales and sales to persons who are drunk, with documented training records.
  • A personal licence holder to be employed to supervise each individual bar.
  • All staff to be made aware of proxy sales and be vigilant to adults purchasing and providing alcohol to children.
  • All event staff to be DBS checked.

As a result of these agreed conditions, Sussex Police withdrew their objection. The report pack noted that representors from the public were advised of the Police agreement and withdrawal, but no public representations had been withdrawn as a result.

Considerations for the Sub-Committee

In determining the application, the sub-committee was asked to consider the four licensing objectives outlined in the Licensing Act 2003:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

The sub-committee was also asked to have regard to Worthing Borough Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, guidance issued by the Home Secretary, and the relevant representations from all parties, including any mediated agreements reached.

The Public reports pack outlined the options available to the sub-committee:

• Grant the licence as requested
• Grant the licence with additional conditions appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives
• Reject the whole or part of the application

The sub-committee could also exclude certain licensable activities, refuse to specify a particular person as a premises supervisor, or approve different parts of the premises for different activities.

The report pack stated that the sub-committee was required to give reasons for their decision.