Licensing Sub Committee A was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Middlesbrough Little Theatre, located at Toft House, The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6SA. The committee was also scheduled to determine the application based on written representations, as a formal hearing had been dispensed with.

Application for a Premises Licence: Middlesbrough Little Theatre

Licensing Sub Committee A was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Middlesbrough Little Theatre, also known as Toft House, located at The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6SA. The application, submitted by Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited, sought to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises daily from 11:00 to 24:00. It also proposed to permit live music from Sunday to Thursday between 19:00 and 23:00, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 until 23:30. Recorded music was intended to be played from Monday to Thursday between 18:00 and 22:30, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00 until 22:30, with Sunday timings from 12:00 until 22:30. The application also included provisions for plays to be performed daily from 19:00 until 23:00.

The committee was scheduled to determine this application on the basis of written submissions, as a formal hearing had been dispensed with under Regulation 9 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005¹. This decision was made because the applicant and one objector had agreed that a hearing was unnecessary.

The report pack indicated that the Middlesbrough Little Theatre Club, which has charitable status, currently operates as a members' club with a Club Premises Certificate². The application aimed to extend access to non-members in the evenings to support wider community use of the venue for cultural, social, and leisure activities, without extending the terminal hours for licensable activities.

Representations were received from various parties. Cleveland Police had agreed on a set of conditions with the applicant, and therefore did not make formal representations. However, three representations were received from members of the club and Youth Theatre, primarily concerned about a proposed condition that would restrict children's access to the premises after 21:00. They argued this would prevent the Youth Theatre from using the premises for shows and rehearsals after that time. Concerns were also raised about the requirement for non-members to be signed in and the absence of a drinking up period in the application, which was present in the existing Club Premises Certificate. Following discussions, amendments to the proposed conditions were agreed, leading to the withdrawal of these three representations.

A representation was also received from a local resident, Mr. L. Wheatcroft, who objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. Mr. Wheatcroft's concerns largely related to parking and noise issues, which he believed were associated with performances at the nearby Middlesbrough Theatre, a separate entity with its own licence. He also expressed concerns that allowing non-members access to Toft House would exacerbate existing parking and noise issues and believed there were ongoing issues with drink driving at the premises. Mr. Wheatcroft confirmed he was content for his representation to be considered in writing and for the hearing to be dispensed with.

The committee was scheduled to consider the application in light of the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. They were also to have regard to the Council's Licensing Policy³ and revised guidance from the Secretary of State, which now includes a consideration for promoting economic benefits.

The committee's options were to grant the licence subject to conditions, refuse to specify a premises supervisor, or reject the application entirely. Any aggrieved party would have the right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates' Court.

The meeting was scheduled to be attended by Councillor Linda Lewis (Chair), Councillor Christine Cooper, and Councillor Anne Romaine. Other attendees included Thomas Durance, Vicki Alexander, Tim Hodgkinson, Joanne Dixon, Catherine Cunningham, Robert Armstrong, Fiona Helyer, Rachael Townsend, Steven Wearing, and Claire Jones.

The relevant documents for this meeting were the Agenda frontsheet 05th-Oct-2026 10.00 Licensing Sub Committee A.pdf and the Public reports pack 05th-Oct-2026 10.00 Licensing Sub Committee A.pdf.