The Northumberland Council Licensing Hearing was scheduled to convene to address a single application for a premises licence. The hearing was also scheduled to include the election of a chair and disclosure of member's interests. Councillor Scott Amery, Councillor Trevor Cessford, Councillor Barry Elliott, and Councillor Alan Smith were scheduled to be in attendance.

Licensing Act 2003, Application for a Premises Licence - The Tipsy Bean, 76 Station Road, Ashington

The main item for consideration was an application for a premises licence submitted by Michelle Henderson for The Tipsy Bean located at 76 Station Road, Ashington, NE63 8RN.

The application sought permission for the following licensable activities:

• The supply of alcohol (on the premises): Monday - Saturday 11:00 – 00:00, Sunday 11:00 – 23:30
• Live music (indoors): Monday - Saturday 11:00 – 00:00, Sunday 11:00 – 23:30
• Recorded music (indoors): Monday - Saturday 07:30 – 00:00, Sunday 10:00 – 23:30

According to the agenda frontsheet, one objection from an interested party was received, citing concerns about the prevention of public nuisance.

The Public Reports Pack provided further details on the application. It noted that following initial objections, Ms Henderson proposed amendments to the timings for the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment, and removed live and recorded music from the application. The applicant was then applying for the supply of alcohol (on the premises only) from 11:00-18:00 on Sundays, 18:00-21:00 on Wednesdays, 11:00-21:00 on Thursdays and Saturdays, and 11:00-00:30 on New Year's Eve.

The report pack stated that under the Deregulation Act 2015, no licence permission is required for some forms of regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, between 08:00 and 23:00 on any day on premises authorised to sell alcohol for consumption, provided that the audience does not exceed 500.

The application originally received three objections, but following the amendments, two were withdrawn, leaving one objection from an interested party on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance.

The report pack included a copy of the application for a premises licence, as well as a letter of objection from a local resident of Langwell Crescent. The resident raised concerns regarding:

• Noise and disturbance from late-night music, customers, taxis, deliveries, and potential outdoor drinking.
• Traffic and parking congestion, blocked driveways, and safety risks for pedestrians and children, particularly in the lane to the rear of the premises.
• Anti-social behaviour, including litter, vandalism, public drunkenness, and crime.
• Impact on residential amenity, including loss of peace and quiet.
• Environmental concerns, such as light pollution, waste disposal, and smoking areas near homes.
• The unsuitability of the location due to the area's primarily residential character.
• Devaluation of properties in the vicinity.

The report noted that in considering the application, the members should have regard to the council's statement of licensing policy, specifically the introduction (3.1 – 3.1.6), premises licences applications (schedule 2), decision making process (schedule 5) and prevention of public nuisance (appendix C).

The report also noted that members should have regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, specifically:

Section 2 - The Licensing objectives

Section 8 – Applications for premises licences

Section 9 – Determining applications

Section 10 – Conditions attached to premises licences

The report stated that members were asked to consider the application, and all supporting written and verbal submissions and make their determination at the conclusion of the hearing.