The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for The Griffin pub in Amersham. The committee granted the variation, subject to new conditions, following a review of representations made by the applicant, responsible authorities, and interested parties.

Variation of Premises Licence for The Griffin, Amersham

The committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for The Griffin, located at 12 The Broadway, Amersham, HP7 0HP. The application, submitted by Poppleston Allen Solicitors on behalf of The Griffin Amersham Limited, sought to vary the licence to include the first-floor Assembly Room as part of the licensed premises.

The application proposed changes to the ground floor layout and the inclusion of the first-floor Assembly Room, with specific operating hours for alcohol sales and opening times for this new area. The applicant also proposed that certain existing licence conditions would not apply to the Assembly Room and offered to adopt and maintain a Noise Management Plan and dispersal policy for its operation.

Representations Received:

• Responsible Authorities: The Environmental Health Authority made a relevant representation, raising concerns primarily related to the prevention of public nuisance. They noted ongoing complaints regarding noise and unauthorised licensable activities in the Assembly Room from previous events. The Chief Officer of Police, the Licensing Authority, the Fire and Rescue Authority, the Local Planning Authority, and the Weights and Measures Authority did not make representations.
• Other Persons: Four objections were received from interested parties on the grounds of preventing public nuisance and crime and disorder. These objectors cited personal experience of noise disturbance, loud music, and patrons congregating outside the premises during previous events held in the Assembly Room. Eleven representations were received in support of the application, highlighting the premises' good management, lack of issues, and positive contribution to the local community.

Decision:

The Sub-Committee resolved to grant the variation of the premises licence, subject to mandatory conditions and the conditions set out in Schedules 2, 3, and 4 of the decision notice.

Reasons for the Decision:

The Sub-Committee carefully considered all written and oral submissions, giving equal weight to all representations. They noted that the applicant had submitted a revised plan for the Assembly Room and acknowledged the applicant's explanation regarding the disapplication of certain provisions of the Live Music Act 2012.

In relation to the prevention of public nuisance, the Sub-Committee took into account actions already taken by the licence holder, including the construction of an acoustic wall and soundproofing measures for the Assembly Room, as well as ongoing engagement with the Environmental Health team. They noted that no live or recorded music events were currently taking place in the premises, and that previous noise-related complaints had been addressed. The applicant confirmed that future operations would involve pre-recorded background music or live unamplified music, promoting the licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee emphasised the importance of continued engagement between the licence holder and neighbouring occupiers.

The Sub-Committee also considered the Human Rights Act 1998, specifically Article 6 (right to a fair hearing), Article 8 (respect for private and family life), and Article 1, First Protocol (peaceful enjoyment of possessions). They determined that the licence conditions, including those proposed by the applicant and existing conditions, were reasonable, proportionate, and adequately addressed the concerns raised, thereby promoting the licensing objectives.

The decision notice also highlighted that the Council's Environmental Health team has a statutory duty to investigate noise complaints under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and that the granting of a licence variation does not indemnify against statutory nuisance action.

New Conditions Imposed:

• Sale of Alcohol and Operating Hours for the Assembly Room: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 23:00 for alcohol sales, and 09:00 to 23:30 for operating hours.
• Prevention of Public Nuisance:
  • Operation in accordance with an approved Noise Management Plan (NMP) and dispersal policy, with regular reviews and submissions of revisions to the Licensing Authority.
  • Prominent display of notices at all exits requesting patrons to respect residents and leave quietly.
  • Supervision of patrons drinking or smoking outside to ensure no public nuisance.
  • The external seating area at the rear of the ground floor to be cleared by 23:00, with no drinks or refreshments taken outside after this time.
  • Cessation of alcohol sales from the bar in the external area by 22:00.
  • A risk assessment for each function in the Assembly Room to determine the need for SIA door supervisors, with a minimum of one required from 19:00 if 50 or more patrons are anticipated.
• Conditions for the Assembly Room:
  • No amplified live music.
  • Recorded music limited to background levels only.
• Plan Conditions:
  • Confirmation that alcohol sales in the Assembly Room are authorised only within the area edged red on the provided plan, between 10:00 and 23:00.
  • No sale or supply of alcohol permitted outside the red-lined area in the Assembly Room.

The Sub-Committee also noted that some existing licence conditions might be obsolete or superseded and advised the applicant to consider a minor variation application to formally update these for clarity and enforceability.

The full details of the decision and the conditions attached to the premises licence variation can be found in the public minutes and the decision notice.