Subscribe to updates

You'll receive weekly summaries about Wiltshire Council every week.

If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.

Application for a Premises Licence - 8 Market Place, Box, Corsham, Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 8 April 2025 10.30 am

April 8, 2025 View on council website
AI Generated

Summary

The Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee met to consider a licensing application and discuss procedure for the meeting. The main item for discussion was the application for a premises licence for 8 Market Place, Box from Box Catering Ltd. Two relevant representations from local residents were received in relation to this application.

Licensing Application for 8 Market Place, Box

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider and determine an application for a premises licence made by Box Catering Ltd for 8 Market Place, Box, Corsham, SN13 8NZ.

According to the Public reports pack Tuesday 08-Apr-2025 10.30 Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee, the application was for a new premises licence, applied for on 18 February 2025 under the name VD Catering Ltd, with the business name subsequently changed to Box Catering Ltd on 20 February 2025.

The applicant, Box Catering Ltd, sought permission to:

  • Sell alcohol for consumption on the premises between 12:00 and 22:00 every day
  • Open to the public between 09:00 and 22:00 every day

The Public reports pack Tuesday 08-Apr-2025 10.30 Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee included a plan of licensed venues in the vicinity, and noted that The Queens Head, High Street, Box, Corsham, SN13 8NH also benefits from on sales on their premises licence.

Representations

The council received two representations from local residents, both citing the prevention of public nuisance as their reason for objection.

One representation, from a resident of Market Place, Box, stated:

The introduction of an alcohol- licenced business to the Market Place will increase noise levels, especially in the afternoons and evening, significantly disrupting the peace and quiet of our homes. The premises are in the heart of a narrow, one way residential road and the building is surrounded by houses, opposite, adjacent and behind. The distinctive character of the road and the layout of the properties can also cause sounds to be amplified. At present the road remains quiet after local businesses close at 6 PM, so evening openings would introduce increased noise pollution to the quiet road.

The resident also raised concerns about smokers using the road, leading to litter, and the potential for increased public disturbances. They also believed that additional vehicles would strain the already limited parking in Market Place, potentially obstructing access for emergency services.

Another representation, from a resident of High Street, Box, expressed concerns about the level of noise an alcohol licence and associated late-night opening hours would have on the local amenity in the quiet village setting, particularly during the summer months. They suggested a reduction in trading hours to lunchtime only, as observed by the two other cafes/restaurants in the village.

Licensing Objectives and Steps to Promote Them

The Public reports pack Tuesday 08-Apr-2025 10.30 Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee outlined the four licensing objectives as:

  • The prevention of crime and disorder
  • Public safety
  • The prevention of public nuisance
  • The protection of children from harm

The report pack also included the steps that Box Catering Ltd intended to take to promote these objectives. These included:

  • Displaying prominent notices stating the operating hours of the premises.
  • Training staff on the Challenge 25 scheme1, recognising signs of drunkenness, and procedures for refusing service.
  • Maintaining an incident log.
  • Ensuring alcohol is displayed in a position visible to staff.
  • Implementing a written age verification policy and maintaining an alcohol sales refusal register.
  • Limiting the maximum number of people allowed on the premises to 38.
  • Taking measures to prevent litter and waste.
  • Providing a telephone number for local residents to contact in case of noise nuisance or anti-social behaviour.

Procedure for the Meeting

The Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 08-Apr-2025 10.30 Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee included an item for the chair to explain the procedure for the meeting to members of the public present. The Public reports pack Tuesday 08-Apr-2025 10.30 Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee included the detailed procedure for hearings of Licensing Act 2003 applications.


  1. Challenge 25 is a retailing strategy that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID (a card bearing the PASS hologram, a photographic driving licence or a passport) if they are to buy alcohol.