The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee of Leicester Council met on Thursday 19 March 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Foresters Arms. The meeting's agenda focused on this single application, with detailed reports and representations from various parties outlining potential impacts and proposed conditions.

Application for a New Premises Licence - The Foresters Arms

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence for The Foresters Arms, located at 17 Frog Island, Leicester LE3 5AG. The application, submitted by AD345 Limited, sought to allow for the sale of alcohol, films, live music, and recorded music between the hours of 10:00 and 02:00 daily, with opening hours from 07:00 to 02:00.

The report pack detailed several representations received concerning the application, which related to the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

• Leicestershire Police submitted a representation outlining concerns, particularly regarding the proposed external extension of the licensed area into the car park. While initially raising concerns, the police and the applicant reached an agreement on amendments to the application and the addition of specific conditions. These included revised opening hours, restrictions on alcohol sales at certain times, and the implementation of CCTV, an incident log, a Challenge 25 policy, a risk assessment process for events, limits on the number of people in the rear garden, and an active noise management plan. Specific conditions were also proposed regarding the management of smoking areas and consumption of alcohol in the rear garden to mitigate impact on the adjacent primary school. The police indicated that with these conditions agreed, a hearing might not be necessary.

• One Church, located opposite the proposed venue, also submitted a representation expressing strong objections. Their concerns centred on the unsuitability of the proposed operating hours (10:00 to 02:00 daily) for the surrounding residential area and its impact on community cohesion. They highlighted the lack of dedicated parking, which they believed would exacerbate existing issues. A significant concern was the potential risk to the young and vulnerable individuals who regularly attend their venue, citing the possibility of exposure to aggressive language, inappropriate behaviour, and alcohol-related incidents. They detailed how extended hours and alcohol availability could increase anti-social behaviour, loitering, and crime. They also raised concerns about public safety due to increased footfall and traffic, prevention of public nuisance from noise and litter, and the protection of children from harm due to the proximity of the school and their own centre. One Church stated that they did not believe any conditions could fully mitigate these risks, deeming the application wholly unsuitable for the area.

• Another representation was received from Warning Zone, an educational centre focused on teaching children about the risks of crime and anti-social behaviour. Their concerns mirrored those of One Church, particularly regarding the proposed operating hours until 02:00 daily. They highlighted that their centre regularly hosts 10-11 year old children and that increased vehicle movements, intoxicated individuals, and potential late-night disturbances posed a risk to the safety of children accessing their premises. They also expressed concern about the cumulative impact on an area that is fundamentally educational and child-focused during the daytime. Warning Zone felt that the proposed hours and the nature of the venue conflicted with the safeguarding-focused environment of the immediate area.

The report pack also included appendices detailing the application itself, the representations received, and proposed conditions consistent with the operating schedule and the Leicestershire Police agreement. The sub-committee was scheduled to consider these documents and make a determination on whether to grant the licence without modification, subject to conditions, exclude licensable activities, refuse the proposed premises supervisor, or reject the application entirely.