The Cardiff Council Licensing Sub Committee met on Wednesday to discuss an application for a premises licence for The Cardiff Arms, located at 23 Churchill Way, Cardiff. The committee decided to grant the application, subject to previously agreed conditions with South Wales Police and Pollution Control.

Cardiff Arms Premises Licence Application

The sub committee considered an application from Canal Quarter PLH Ltd for a premises licence for The Cardiff Arms, a pub located at 23 Churchill Way. The application requested permission to:

• Sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.
• Provide regulated entertainment, such as live and recorded music, indoors.
• Provide late night refreshment indoors.

The applicant requested that these activities be licensed from 11:00 to 02:00, Monday to Sunday, with an extension to 03:00 on New Year's Eve, and for late night refreshments from 23:00 to 02:30, Monday to Sunday, extending to 03:00 on New Year's Eve.

Representing the applicant, Mr Tony Bowley, stated that the premises had been operating for five months without any reports of crime, anti-social behaviour, or public nuisance. He also noted that the applicant had agreed to a number of conditions with South Wales Police and Neighbourhood Services to promote the licensing objectives¹. He argued that the current terminal hour of 23:00 was the earliest in the city centre, disadvantaging the pub compared to its competitors and preventing it from catering to patrons after shows or concerts.

Mr Bowley acknowledged that the premises fell within the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) area², requiring the application to be exceptional. He argued that it was, as the existing premises licence would be surrendered if the application were granted, resulting in no net increase in licensed premises. He also stated that the pricing of drinks would not attract the student market .

Councillor Chris Weaver, speaking on behalf of local residents, objected to the application, arguing that extending the hours would lead to increased crime, disorder, and public nuisance, and would effectively turn the pub into a nightclub. Councillor Weaver raised concerns about disturbance from customers moving between premises and the impact on nearby residents, stating that the application was contrary to the Cumulative Impact Policy and offered nothing exceptional .

In response, Mr Bowley stated that the applicant had previously managed the Dock Feeder Bar nearby until 01:30 without issues.

The Sub Committee decided to grant the application, subject to the agreed conditions with South Wales Police and Pollution Control. The committee stated that the applicant had demonstrated that the application was exceptional and that granting the licence would not undermine the licensing objectives. They also accepted that the premises would continue to operate as a public house.