The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene to consider a request to vary a premises licence. The main item to be discussed is an application relating to Marden Stores Restaurant in Marden. The meeting will also cover standard agenda items such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Application for Variation of Premises Licence - Marden Stores Restaurant

The sub-committee is scheduled to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for Marden Stores Restaurant, located in Marden. The applicant, Farmer Johns Catering Ltd, is seeking to vary the existing licence to allow for the consumption of alcohol off the premises.

The specific change requested involves removing the condition that:

Alcohol consumed inside and outside the premises building shall only be consumed by patrons seated at tables

and replacing it with:

Alcohol consumed inside and outside the premises building shall only be consumed by patrons in the consumption area marked on plan received 1 July 2024

According to the Public Reports Pack, the applicant is not seeking to extend the licensed or consumption area, but rather to allow customers to stand with their drinks within the designated area.

The current licence, issued in August 2024, permits the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 08:00 and 23:00 from Monday to Saturday, and between 10:00 and 23:00 on Sundays.

The report pack indicates that one representation was received from a member of the public during the consultation period. The representation raises concerns about potential public nuisance, particularly in relation to the suggested hours for the licence and the impact on the local community, including families and children. The person who made the representation suggests conditions such as limiting alcohol consumption to 'with food' only, restricting the times when alcohol can be consumed, and prohibiting it on Sundays. They also reference research on the effects of alcohol from the National Institutes of Health^[The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research.] and Lancaster University^[Lancaster University is a public research university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England.].

The sub-committee is reminded of its duties under the Licensing Act 2003^[The Licensing Act 2003 is an Act of Parliament that covers the sale and supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment, and the provision of late night refreshment.] and must consider the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, giving appropriate weight to the steps taken to promote those objectives, the representations made by all parties, the guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, and the Herefordshire Council Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-2025.

The Public Reports Pack outlines several options available to the sub-committee, including granting the licence with or without modifications, excluding certain licensable activities, or refusing the application.