The Licensing and Gambling Sub-Committee are scheduled to meet to determine an application for a premises licence, and to review general procedure points for the meeting. The meeting will also allow for declarations of interest from members.

Determination of Application for a Premises Licence - Rory's, 2 Talbot Row, Euxton

The sub-committee will be asked to consider an application for a premises licence for Rory's, located at 2 Talbot Row, Euxton. The applicant is Lancstapgroup Ltd. The Director of Planning and Property's report on the application will be presented to the members.

The application seeks to authorise the supply of alcohol from 12:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 12:00 to 00:00 Friday and Saturday, with opening hours matching the hours alcohol will be supplied.

According to the report pack, the sub-committee is reminded of the four licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003:

• Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• Public Safety
• Prevention of Public Nuisance
• Protection of Children from Harm

The report pack states that the members are reminded that:

the duty of the licensing authority is to take steps necessary to promote the licensing objectives in the interests of the wider community and not those of the individual licence holder.

The premises is located in a parade of business premises in the centre of Euxton, with a small car park to the front. Above the units are residential flats, and the premises is surrounded on all sides by residential properties. A large public house with a car park and outdoor seating and beer garden is located to the north east.

The application was made on 12 August 2025, and was advertised by displaying a notice at the premises for the 28-day consultation period, a notice in a local newspaper, and publication on the council's website.

A representation was received on 5 September 2025 from Wenwen Zhu, who is considered an 'Other Person' under the Licensing Act 2003. The representation relates to the prevention of public nuisance.

The sub-committee is required to give appropriate weight to the application, the representation presented, and the legal considerations. Any additional or modified conditions should be practical and enforceable.

The report pack states that the sub-committee is requested to determine the matter, and lists the steps that the authority can take, including:

• Granting the licence subject to conditions
• Excluding any licensable activities from the licence
• Refusing to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor
• Rejecting the application

Objections to the Licence

Wenwen Zhu, of 9 Talbot Row, Euxton, has objected to the premises licence application for Rory's on the grounds of the Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance and Protection of Children from Harm. Wenwen Zhu's representation states that they are not opposed to the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises, but objects to the proposal to operate as a bar (on-licence).

Wenwen Zhu lives directly above the premises with their family, including young children, and is concerned about:

• Noise and disturbance from music, conversations, and gatherings late at night.
• Disturbance outside the premises from customers arriving, leaving, and smoking.
• The impact on my children's sleep and wellbeing, which directly conflicts with the objective of protecting children from harm.

The representation notes that there is already a pub within a one-minute walk, but that pub is a standalone building, separated from residential homes by a street, whereas this proposed bar would operate directly underneath a family home.

Applicant Details

The applicant for the premises licence is Lancstapgroup Ltd, of Euxton Mills Hotel, Wigan Road, Euxton. The registered number is 16556163. The description of the applicant is 'Company by Limited Shares'. The telephone number is 07535 180056, and the email address is euxtonmillspub@gmail.com.

The premises licence is requested to start on 01 October 2025. The premises is described as a taphouse and wine bar situated on a row of takeaway food shops in Euxton. The room is rectangular shaped at ground floor only, with three toilets, a store room, a bar, and the remaining space for customers to sit.

The licensable activities applied for are the supply of alcohol, with Christopher James Maughan named as the designated premises supervisor. Christopher James Maughan's personal licence number is PERS107S, issued by South Ribble Council.

Steps to promote the four licensing objectives are described in the application, including:

• Ensuring sufficient competent staff are on duty at all times when the premises are open for any licensable activity.
• Staff will undertake training in their responsibilities in relation to the sale of alcohol, particularly with regard to drunkenness and underage persons with a challenge 25 policy in place.
• Any incidents of a criminal nature that may occur on the premises will be reported to the Police.
• Comprehensive CCTV coverage will be installed at the premises inside and outside.
• Appropriate fire safety procedures are in place including fire extinguishers, fire blanket, internally illuminated fire exit signs, numerous smoke detectors and emergency lighting.
• All customers will be asked to leave quietly, with notices displayed to remind customers to leave quietly and have regard to neighbours.
• The licensee and staff will ask persons who appear to be under the age of 25 for photographic ID. A register of refused sales shall be kept and maintained on the premises.

Procedure

The sub-committee will review general procedure points and hearing procedure for the meeting.