The Licensing Sub-Committee of Bath and North East Somerset Council met on Thursday 22 October 2026 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for The Pig & Fiddle pub and to review the fit and proper status of a taxi driver. The committee granted the variation for The Pig & Fiddle with a specific condition regarding the operating hours of an external bar servery, and revoked the taxi driver's licence due to dishonesty in their dealings with the police concerning a driving offence.

Variation of Premises Licence for The Pig & Fiddle

The committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for The Pig & Fiddle, located at 2 Saracen Street, Bath, BA1 5BR. The proposed variations included the installation of an external bar servery within the existing licensed external area, an earlier start time for alcohol sales on Sundays, and changes to conditions regarding happy hour promotions and the permitted hours for children on the premises.

The applicant, Butcombe Brewery Limited, represented by Tim Shield of John Gaunt & Partners, argued that the external bar would alleviate pressure on internal bars and improve customer service. They proposed an additional condition that the external bar servery would be restricted to operating between 11:00 and 22:00 hours daily. No representations were received from Responsible Authorities, such as the Police or Environmental Protection.

However, an objection was raised by Mr. Darrin Christian, a resident living at 4 Saracen Street, who expressed concerns that the external bar servery would increase noise and customer congregation directly beneath his residential windows. He suggested that the servery's operating hours should be further restricted, proposing a 21:00 cessation time. Mr. Christian also raised concerns about maintaining clear access to his property, which also serves as a fire escape route for the adjacent business at 13-15 Walcot Street.

The committee noted that matters relating to planning permission and private civil disputes were outside the scope of the licensing objectives. After considering the arguments, the committee decided to grant the variation. They imposed a condition that the use of the external bar servery shall be restricted to the hours of 11:00 until 22:00 hours Monday to Sunday, deeming this proportionate to promote the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance. The committee also noted that the applicant would need to seek any necessary planning permissions separately.

Consideration of Fit and Proper Status for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver

The Sub-Committee considered whether a licensee was a fit and proper person to continue holding their combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's licence. The licensee did not attend the hearing and had not responded to communications from the Licensing department.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) presented a report detailing a conviction in January 2026 for failing to furnish the name and address of the driver at the time of a speeding offence in October 2024. This resulted in six penalty points on the licensee's DVLA licence and a fine. The licensee had initially provided incorrect details about the driver, which the police deemed unsatisfactory, and it was later proven the licensee was driving at the time.

The committee also noted two previous complaints from the public and four recorded instances of non-compliance with licence requirements between 2018 and 2024. In light of the licensee's conviction and dishonesty in their dealings with the police, the committee found that the licensee was no longer a fit and proper person to hold the licence. Consequently, the licence was revoked under section 61(2A) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Application for Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence - Fit & Proper Status Deferred

The committee was scheduled to consider the fit and proper status of another applicant for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's licence, following a previous revocation. The applicant had contacted the licensing officer the day before the hearing to state they were unable to attend due to staff sickness and offered to provide proof.

In the interest of fairness, the Sub-Committee decided to adjourn the hearing to a future date. The applicant was warned that the matter might proceed in their absence at the next hearing if they failed to attend.