The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council met on Monday 18 May 2026 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for The Journeyman, located at 10 Packhorse Road, Gerrards Cross, SL9 7QE. The committee decided to grant the variation, allowing the external seating area to be used by patrons until 10:30 PM, with specific conditions to mitigate noise and nuisance.

Variation of Premises Licence for The Journeyman

The primary focus of the meeting was an application by Blue Pear Group Limited to vary the premises licence for The Journeyman. The proposed variations included extending the hours for the use of the external seating area from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM, and to amend the Noise Management Plan by removing Section 2.4 concerning door supervision.

Decision: The committee granted the variation application.

Arguments For: The applicant, represented by Joanna Riley, HR Officer for Blue Pear Group Limited, argued that the extension would bring The Journeyman in line with other businesses in Gerrards Cross, allowing patrons to finish meals outside during warmer months. They stated that the premises is food-led, well-managed, and has had no significant noise or public nuisance complaints since opening. They also highlighted that the proposed changes were reasonable and proportionate, supporting the local business and economy.

Arguments Against: Mr. Eugene Walsh, a local resident whose property adjoins the premises, objected to the application. He argued that the current Noise Management Plan, which was a condition of planning permission, had not been consistently followed and that extending the terrace hours would exacerbate noise nuisance. He raised concerns about patrons' behaviour, noise from music, and the effectiveness of staff in managing these issues, particularly given the premises' proximity to residential properties and its location within a conservation area. Other objectors, Keith Edwards and Ian Bayliss, echoed these concerns, stating that the premises had become a rowdy pub with a sports bar and that the proposed changes would breach existing planning conditions.

Outcome: The committee decided to grant the variation, allowing the external seating area to be used by patrons until 10:30 PM, save for smoking. This decision was made subject to several conditions, including the submission and approval of an updated Noise Management Plan, and the continued display of notices requesting patrons to respect local residents. The committee noted that while the applicant sought to remove door supervision requirements from the Noise Management Plan, separate conditions were proposed regarding staff and management undertaking these duties. The committee also addressed a clerical error regarding the current licensable hours, clarifying the correct timings as per the decision notice.

The committee considered the arguments from both the applicant and the objectors, weighing them against the licensing objectives and the council's licensing policy. They acknowledged the concerns regarding public nuisance but were satisfied that the proposed conditions, along with the applicant's commitments, would adequately promote the licensing objectives. The decision was also informed by the fact that Thames Valley Police and the Fire and Rescue Authority raised no objections.