The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council met on 10 December 2025 to discuss a premises licence application. The Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Londis West Rainton. They were also scheduled to confirm the minutes of meetings held on 22 October, 4 November and 13 November 2025.

Londis West Rainton, Chapel View, West Rainton, Houghton le Spring

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to 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, with Dr Tirumala Rao Matla as director, requested permission to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises from 09:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday.

During the consultation period, the council received sixteen representations opposing the application. These came from local residents including 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, and West Rainton Parish Council.

The representations raised concerns relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm. Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership, Durham Constabulary, and Durham County Council's Public Health and Environmental Health departments all stated that they had no comments to make regarding the application.

The report pack included details of Durham County Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the Section 182 Guidance issued to local authorities under the Licensing Act 2003¹.

The report pack stated that the Sub-Committee had several options:

• Grant the licence subject to conditions that are consistent with the operating schedule accompanying the application and the mandatory conditions set out in the Licensing Act 2003.
• Grant the licence subject to modified conditions to that of the operating schedule 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 Supervisor².
• Reject the application.

Minutes

The Sub-Committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of three previous meetings:

• 22 October 2025 - At which Councillors Neil Craggs, L Mavin and C Foote-Wood considered an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for The Inglenook Wine Bar, 42 The Bank, Barnard Castle. Several residents of The Bank, including Ms Bee Davison, Mr David Hepburn, Mrs Theresa Hepburn, and Ms Elizabeth Colley, attended the meeting to voice concerns about the application. Mr Morgan Derbyshire was the applicant, and he was supported by Mr Stephen Boakes and Ms Laura Drew. The Sub-Committee determined to grant the licence subject to conditions proposed by the applicant and mediated by Durham Constabulary.
• 4 November 2025 - At which Councillors J Blakey, Liz Brown and S Franklin considered an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Annfield Convenience Store, 24 West Road, Annfield Plain, Stanley. Mr S Newman, who owned a nearby pub, objected to the application. Mr Kolulatharasham Balachandren was the applicant. The Sub-Committee resolved to grant the premises licence subject to conditions imposed by Durham Constabulary and the planning application.
• 13 November 2025 - At which Councillors J Blakey, Liz Brown and C Foote-Wood considered an application to Vary a Premises Licence for The Sportsmans Inn, 30 Market Place, Bishop Auckland. Mr C Burns, the applicant's agent, stated that he was the new Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and Licence Holder. 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.