The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council considered an application for a Temporary Event Notice (T.E.N.) for S&S Kitchen, located at 58 Kingsbury, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2JE. The application sought to permit the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment from midnight to 4 am on 26 July 2026. Environmental Health objected to the T.E.N. on the grounds of preventing public nuisance, citing ongoing noise complaints from residents. The subcommittee heard evidence and representations from all parties before retiring to make a decision.

Temporary Event Notice for S&S Kitchen

The subcommittee considered a Temporary Event Notice (T.E.N.) submitted by Ms. Stevie Beckford, the applicant and supervisor of S&S Kitchen, for the premises at 58 Kingsbury, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2JE. The T.E.N. requested permission for the sale of alcohol, both on and off the premises, and the provision of regulated entertainment between midnight and 4 am on Sunday, 26 July 2026.

Ms. Kerri-Anne Ashton, the licensing officer for Buckinghamshire Council, presented the report, outlining that S&S Kitchen already holds a premises licence authorising the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and live music. This year, the premises had already served 11 T.E.N.s. The report detailed the limits on T.E.N.s under the Licensing Act 2003, which include a maximum of 15 T.E.N.s per premises per year, up to a total of 21 days.

Environmental Health, represented by Mr. Charlie Robinson, Team Leader for Environmental Protection, lodged an objection to the T.E.N. The objection was based on the grounds of preventing public nuisance, citing recent complaints from residents concerning amplified music and entertainment extending into the early hours of the morning from previous events held on 21 June and 5 July 2026. Recordings submitted by residents indicated that music was audible in neighbouring properties until approximately 3:49 am. Environmental Health expressed concern that these events posed a significant risk of disturbance at a time when residents would expect quiet. They noted that the premises did not have a formal noise management plan in place.

Ms. Beckford, the applicant, explained that S&S Kitchen is a small, family-run business that has faced significant financial challenges. She stated that these events are crucial for the business's survival and for protecting local jobs. Ms. Beckford acknowledged the concerns raised and outlined the steps already taken to mitigate noise, including moving speakers away from adjoining walls, installing foam-insulated pads under the bass speaker, reducing bass levels, and conducting regular checks outside the premises. She also mentioned plans to install professional noise monitoring equipment and commission an independent acoustic assessment in the future, though financial constraints currently prevent this. Ms. Beckford emphasised that this was a temporary event notice and requested the opportunity to continue operating the event while demonstrating responsible management and ongoing improvements.

During the questioning, Councillor Dean Field, representing Stoke Mandeville, Wendover and Alton Ward, inquired about other late-night entertainment venues in the vicinity of Kingsbury Square, such as Emperor's Lounge, Feathers, and Mirage. Ms. Beckford stated that these venues often operate until 3 am and sometimes obtain T.E.N.s to extend their hours to 4 am. Mr. Robinson confirmed that Environmental Health had received complaints relating to the last five T.E.N.s held at S&S Kitchen, from three separate residential properties. He noted that the premises appeared to be attempting to replicate weekly events through T.E.N.s, a change from previous years where events were more sporadic.

The subcommittee also discussed the use of noise monitoring equipment. Ms. Beckford mentioned that they had recently downloaded an app to monitor noise levels, but acknowledged they were new to it and were informed that a level of 80 decibels was acceptable. Mr. Robinson clarified that Environmental Health uses a dedicated noise app for recording disturbances and that the app Ms. Beckford referred to was more of a decibel level indicator, which has limitations in accuracy and does not measure sub-bass effectively. He explained that Environmental Health's approach to nuisance investigations focuses on the impact on individuals rather than specific decibel levels.

Ms. Laura Heller, a solicitor from the council's legal department acting as legal advisor, highlighted that the subcommittee had the power to permit the event to proceed subject to one or more conditions already on the existing premises licence, if deemed appropriate to promote the licensing objectives. Mr. Robinson confirmed that the conditions on the S&S Kitchen premises licence relevant to the prevention of public nuisance were limited and, in his view, would not be sufficient to control noise from music extending until 4 am.

In closing submissions, Ms. Ashton noted that the current premises licence authorises live music only until 11 pm on Saturdays, meaning there would be an hour's gap before the T.E.N. activities could commence at midnight. Ms. Beckford confirmed that their events do not start until midnight, aligning with this gap.

The subcommittee then retired to make its decision. The outcome of this hearing will be communicated to the applicant and other relevant parties.