The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of County Durham Council scheduled a meeting to discuss a request to vary a premises licence. The meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday 13 November 2025 at County Hall, Durham. Councillors Councillor Jan Blakey, Councillor Liz Brown, Councillor Matt Burnard, Councillor Chris Foote-Wood and Councillor John Kinvig were scheduled to attend.

The Sportsmans Inn, Bishop Auckland

The sub-committee were asked to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for The Sportsmans Inn, 30 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL14 7NP.

C & S Properties (BA) Ltd, the current premises licence holders, submitted the application through their agent, Christian Burns, on 23 September 2025. Mr Christopher Conner and Mr Simon Raine are the directors of C & S Properties (BA) Ltd.

The application requests the removal of the following condition from the current premises licence:

Polycarbonate glasses will be used for all drink sold on the premises, in place of regular drinking glasses

The report pack notes that Durham Constabulary submitted a representation opposing the application, and that responses were received from Public Health, Environmental Health, Planning and Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership, all confirming they had no comments to make regarding the application.

Durham Constabulary Representation

Durham Constabulary objected to the application under the prevention of Crime and Disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. Sgt Caroline Dickenson of the Licensed Economy Team, Safeguarding Neighbourhoods Command, Durham Constabulary, noted that the condition to use polycarbonate glasses was added to the licence in September 2024 after two serious incidents of violence at the premises.

The first incident occurred on 1 June 2024, and was investigated as a section 20 assault¹. The second incident occurred on 4 August 2024, and three victims received injuries consistent with a section 18 assault². Sgt Dickenson stated that in the second incident a glass was used as a weapon to inflict serious injuries on the victims, and that the investigation was with the Crown Prosecution Service awaiting a charging decision.

Sgt Dickenson stated that since the premises moved to polycarbonate glasses in September 2024, there have been no further violent incidents reported, and that the use of polycarbonate glasses ensures the safety of patrons, staff and door supervisors.

Sgt Dickenson also noted that Durham Constabulary had previously objected to a minor variation to remove the condition, which was subsequently refused by Durham County Council.

Sgt Dickenson stated that the venue has a condition on their license currently which stipulates:

The premises will provide three SIA Registered Door Staff from 21.00 until close each Friday Evening and will provide four SIA registered door staff from 21:00 until close each Saturday. In addition, the premises will increase these SIA registered door staff levels during any anticipated busier periods including bank holiday and festive periods.

However, on the variation they are wanting:

Doorman when needed at busy time

Licensing Policy

The report pack included extracts from Durham County Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2024- 2029, and Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended February 2025).

The council's statement of licensing policy states that it expects all licensed premises to be properly managed at all times to prevent crime and disorder, and encourages licensees to provide comprehensive and documented staff training. The council also expects every holder of a premises licence to be responsible for minimising the impact of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour by their patrons.

The council's statement of licensing policy also states that licensed venues that provide the sale or supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises should consider the introduction of toughened/safety glass, especially any premises associated with a higher risk for potential crime and disorder.

The Section 182 Guidance states that licensing authorities should look to the police as the main source of advice on crime and disorder, and should seek to involve the local Community Safety Partnership³. The guidance also states that conditions should be targeted on deterrence and preventing crime and disorder.