The Licensing Sub Committee of Gateshead Council met to consider an application for a premises licence for Rivers Edge, Green Lane, Felling. The sub-committee was scheduled to determine whether the application should be granted, taking into account representations received from the public and the applicant's operating schedule. Councillors were asked to consider Gateshead Council's licensing policy and guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Rivers Edge Premises Licence Application

Bewick House Ltd submitted an application for a premises licence for Rivers Edge, Green Lane, Felling, NE10 0SB.

The application requested permission for:

• Supply of alcohol (both on and off the premises) 11:00-23:00 hours Monday- Friday and 10:00-23:00 hours Saturday and Sundays
• Recorded music (indoors only) 08:00- 23:00 hours everyday, with seasonal variations.

The report pack included the application form submitted by Bewick House Ltd. The application described the premises as:

GENE FOR STANDART WITH SPOLDEDGE HASIT

PLAYED INDICARS ROB GUITOMEZS TO BEFRY!

CELEBRATE ATMOSFIKEE

DECEMBE AREA WAS OLD ANALOGE TO CUTTION

TO EPERN FOOT AND DOMEST

The Public reports pack included a pool of model conditions from Gateshead Council's licensing policy, which the Licensing Authority may consider appropriate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives¹.

Representations

The council received representations from five members of the public, but one withdrew their representation after the applicant offered to add a condition that there would be No music in external areas at any time .

The remaining representations, included in Appendix 2 Representations, were from:

• Chris Langshaw
• Jonathan Belassie
• David and Jeanette Snary
• Peter Buchanan

Chris Langshaw stated he could not attend the hearing, but requested the committee consider adding the following conditions:

a. A mechanism on the doors to ensure they close. This would be to prevent the doors being left open and noise escaping.

b. A noise limiter to be used and that this is to be installed in a secure locked location.

Other concerns raised in the representations included:

• Public noise and nuisance from music and people singing, chatting whilst drinking alcohol outside .
• The potential for noise to travel across the river to nearby residences.
• Concerns that if a music licence is granted it will be a nightmare .
• Light pollution.

Policy and Guidance

When carrying out its functions, the sub-committee was instructed to consider:

• the Statement of Gateshead Council's Licensing Policy, and
• the Amended Guidance (February 2025) issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 by the Secretary of State.

Appendix 3 Extracts from Statement of Licensing Policy and Appendix 4 Extracts from s.182 guidance contained relevant extracts from these documents.

The Statement of Licensing Policy stated that the council had signed the Local Government Declaration on Alcohol, committing to greater regulation and control on the availability of alcohol, and putting public health and community safety at the forefront of policy making.

The report pack also included an area plan.