The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 10 December 2025 to discuss a premises licence application for Londis West Rainton. The sub-committee will consider the application, representations received, and relevant licensing policies to determine whether to grant the licence, modify its conditions, or reject the application. The sub-committee will also review the minutes of previous meetings.

Grant of a Premises Licence for Londis West Rainton

The sub-committee will consider an application for the grant of a premises licence for Londis West Rainton, Chapel View, West Rainton, Houghton le Spring, DH4 6RS. The applicant, MTR1 Ltd, represented by Director Dr Tirumala Rao Matla and agent Beverley Smith of Aspire Licensing, seeks permission to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

During the consultation period, the council received sixteen representations opposing the application from local residents and West Rainton Parish Council. The licensing authority deemed these objections relevant, relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm.

Those who submitted representations and are scheduled to attend the hearing include Ms Toor, Ms Brown, Mr Davison, Ms Neal, Mr Robson, Mr and Mrs J & A Rowe, L Kaur, L Singh, L Toor, Ms Boettcher, Mr Corfield, Mr Francis, M Neal, Mr Neal, Mr Robson, and representatives from West Rainton Parish Council.

The report pack outlines several options available to the sub-committee:

• Grant the licence subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule and mandatory conditions set out in the Licensing Act 2003.
• Grant the licence subject to modified conditions, where the committee considers it appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives and the mandatory conditions set out in the Licensing Act 2003.
• Exclude from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates.
• Refuse to specify a person on the licence as the Designated Premises Supervisor.
• Reject the application.

The report pack also references several legal cases that the Sub-Committee should be aware of, including Daniel Thwaites Plc v Wirral Borough Magistrates' Court and The Queen on the Application of Bristol Council v Bristol Magistrates' Court, which establish that licensing authorities should only impose conditions which are necessary and proportionate for the promotion for licensing objectives.

Review of Previous Meeting Minutes

The sub-committee will review the minutes of meetings held on 22 October, 4 November and 13 November 2025.

The 22 October meeting concerned an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for the Inglenook Wine Bar, 42 The Bank, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8PN. During the meeting, representations were made by Mr Morgan Derbyshire (the applicant), Mr Stephen Boakes, Ms Laura Drew, Ms Bee Davison (a resident of The Bank), Mr David Hepburn, Ms Theresa Hepburn, and Ms Elizabeth Colley. The Sub-Committee determined to grant the licence subject to the conditions as proposed by the Applicant and mediated by Durham Constabulary.

The 4 November meeting concerned an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Annfield Convenience Store, 24 West Road, Annfield Plain, Stanley, Co Durham DH9 8HU. During the meeting, representations were made by Mr Kolulatharasham Balachandren (the applicant), and Mr S Newman (owner of a local pub). The Sub-Committee resolved that the premises licence be granted subject to the conditions imposed by Durham Constabulary and the planning application.

The 13 November meeting concerned an application to Vary a Premises Licence for The Sportsmans Inn, 30 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL14 7NP. During the meeting, representations were made by Mr C Burns (the applicant's agent), and J Tomlinson (Durham Constabulary's Solicitor). The Sub-Committee resolved that polycarbonate glasses be used on Friday and Saturday nights and Bank Holidays from 10pm until the premises closed, and that the Personal Licence Holder or Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) be present on Friday and Saturday nights and Bank Holidays from 10pm until the premises closed.