The Licensing Act Sub Committee of Cornwall Council met on 12 November 2025, and agreed to grant a premises licence to Nationwide Festivals Ltd for Cornwall Winter Wonderland, subject to conditions agreed with the police. The committee heard representations from the applicant and a member of the public, and discussed concerns around public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Cornwall Winter Wonderland Licence Application

The sub-committee considered an application from Nationwide Festivals Ltd for a premises licence for the Cornwall Winter Wonderland, to be held at Pool Market, Station Road, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3QJ. The application was for recorded music outdoors between 12:00 and 22:00, and the sale of alcohol on the premises between 12:00 and 21:30, Monday to Sunday. The hours that the premises would be open to the public were listed as 12:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday.

The application stated that there would be no adult entertainment or services, activities or other entertainment that may give rise to concern in respect of children.

The applicant had included steps to promote the licensing objectives, including:

• Limiting licensable activities to the Winter Wonderland event
• Notifying the Licensing Authority a minimum of one month in advance of the proposed event
• Liaising with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) appointed by the Licensing Authority
• Ensuring the Designated Premises Supervisor or designate is present at all times during the licensed event period
• Engaging an accredited security/stewarding company
• Advising attendees of terms and conditions of entry
• Enforcing a responsible drinking policy
• Appointing a suitably experienced Safety Officer
• Undertaking suitable risk assessments
• Engaging a medical services team
• Keeping exits and emergency vehicle access routes clear
• Providing sufficient fire-fighting equipment
• Preventing unauthorised access to the licensed premises
• Ensuring all structures are subject to sign-off by the contractor
• Complying with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• Enforcing a 'no glass' policy
• Employing a noise consultant to monitor noise levels
• Employing a waste management contractor
• Operating a 'Challenge 25' policy¹
• Developing and operating a Lost Person procedure

Devon and Cornwall Police had initially submitted a representation, but following an agreement with the applicant to include additional conditions on the Premises Licence, they withdrew their objection.

The additional agreed conditions to be included on the Premises Licence were:

• The capacity of the licensable area will be 500
• There will be a suitable means of recording the numbers of persons on the premises at any one time, to ensure capacity is not exceeded.
• In the absence of the Designated Premises Supervisor there will be a member of staff on site who is a Personal Licence Holder
• All staff engaged in licensable activity at the premises will receive training and information
• An incident log shall be kept and maintained at the premises
• Staff are not to consume alcohol whilst on duty
• The services of a professional security company using registered SIA² staff must be provided
• Radio communication must be used across the site for all key members of the Event Management Team
• No customers shall be allowed to bring alcohol onto the licensable area
• All drinks dispensed for consumption from the Event Bars must be in plastic glasses
• No alcohol will be permitted to leave the licensed area
• A written drugs policy shall be in place and operated at the premises
• The premise will have a written vulnerability and safeguarding policy
• A professional Event Medical Services Company shall be retained
• The Event Management Plan will also form part of the premises licence conditions
• There will be a detailed dispersal policy to minimise the impact of persons leaving the event
• There will be in place a written age verification policy in relation to the sale or supply of alcohol, which will specify a Challenge 25 proof of age requirement
• Children under the age of 14 will not be allowed upon the premises at any time unless accompanied by an adult.

A representation was also received from Sean Barlow, who raised concerns relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

Mr Barlow stated that at previous events organised by the applicant, there had been multiple instances of failing to check tickets or monitor entry, vendors selling out of date drinks, music containing lyrics with profanities and inappropriate references being played, and few or no door staff at the entrance.

The applicant disputed the allegations of overcrowding or the sale of out of date drinks at previous events, and stated that the food safety of all vendors would be checked and certified by the Local Authority.

Prior to the meeting, solicitors acting on behalf of the applicant, Wollens, had written to the council requesting that Mr Barlow's representation be disregarded entirely as being frivolous or vexatious under Section 18 Licensing Act 2003. They stated that Mr Barlow's representation formed part of a wider online campaign in which Mr Barlow had been targeting the applicant's business activities generally, and that the allegations made were vague and unsubstantiated.

In a supplementary agenda, Mr Barlow responded to the applicant's submission, stating that his social media comments and formal objections had been made in good faith, based on genuine public interest and concern for safety, transparency, and accountability. He also noted that three other local authorities had refused applications from this same applicant due to serious safety concerns.

At the meeting, the applicant's representative emphasised that the proposed event was to be an open air Christmas themed event with a strong focus on being family friendly, and that they had consulted closely with professional bodies and responsible authorities throughout the planning process.

The other person who had submitted a representation attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the application, expressing concerns relating to previous events organised by the applicant.

The sub-committee noted the representations from Mr Barlow, but felt that there was insufficient evidence to show that the issues raised would occur at this specific premises. They also noted that the applicant had agreed additional conditions with the Police, and that this had led to the Police withdrawing their representation.

The sub-committee concluded that, on balance, it was reasonable and proportionate to grant the application, subject to those conditions agreed with the Police and set out in the report. They further noted that if issues did arise at the premises, then the premises licence could be subject to a review.

Councillor Robin Moorcroft was elected chairman for the meeting. Councillors Debra Clegg and Brian Clemens were also present.