The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council convened on 11 September 2025, to review the premises licence for The Swan, Iver, following an application for review. After considering detailed discussions and evidence, the sub-committee resolved to modify the conditions of the premises licence, with additional conditions set out in Schedule 3 of the decision notice taking effect after the appeal period.

The Swan, 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG - Premises Licence Review

The sub-committee addressed an application for the review of a premises licence submitted by Mrs Rosemary Reed in respect of The Swan, 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG. The application was made under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003, citing concerns about the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety.

Background:

• The premises is the last remaining public house in Iver village, with a licence dating back to 2005.
• A transfer of the premises licence to Mr Ranveet Singh Lalia, and an application to vary the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) to Mr Lalia, were submitted on 30 June 2025.
• The review application was prompted by concerns regarding an external bar, installed before Mr Lalia took over, and its impact on the licensing objectives.
• Prior to the review application, the council had not received formal complaints about the premises since 2005.
• A site visit on 28 July 2025 confirmed the existence of the unauthorised external bar. Mr Lalia ceased trading from this bar immediately after being informed of the breach and this was confirmed via email on 18 July 2025.
• An advisory letter was sent to Mr Lalia on 1 August 2025, regarding the outside bar and other licence conditions that appeared not to be complied with.

Representations:

• Thames Valley Police raised no objection or support for the review.
• The Local Environmental Health Authority supported the review based on preventing public nuisance.
• The Weights and Measures Authority and Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance had no comments.
• The council received 92 representations from other persons: nine supported the review, and 83 objected to it.

Key Issues and Considerations:

• The review application from Mrs Rosemary Reed raised concerns including noise, fights, fire risk, change of use to a restaurant, and lack of consultation.
• Mrs Reed stated that the area behind The Swan had become a loud, unsupervised outdoor bar and entertainment zone, operating late into the night.
• The report noted that some issues raised were beyond the scope of the Licensing Act 2003, which confines the sub-committee to breaches of the four licensing objectives.
• The sub-committee considered the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy (March 2022) and national guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
• The sub-committee considered its responsibilities under the Human Rights Act, balancing the interests of the applicant and the rights of local residents.

Decision:

The sub-committee resolved to modify the conditions of the premises licence. The modifications included:

• Removing references to Nonstandard Times: Permission to carry out activity earlier or later for international sporting events at the licensee's discretion throughout the premises licence.
• Removing conditions relating to non-alcoholic refreshments, window and door closures, music and performances outside the premises, kitchen filters, proof of age policy, reporting crime and disorder, live music levels, noise assessments, logbooks for live entertainment, recorded music levels, and pub watch membership.
• Adding new conditions to promote the licensing objectives, including staff training, incident book maintenance, SIA registered door supervisors, CCTV system maintenance, external door and window closures, neighbour notification for regulated entertainment, noise monitoring, and a 'Challenge 25' policy¹.

The sub-committee considered that the amendments to the premises licence were reasonable and proportionate, sufficiently promoting the licensing objectives.

Any party aggrieved by the decision may appeal to the Clerk to the Justices, High Wycombe Magistrates' Court, within 21 days.