The Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider an application for a Premises Licence for Papa Johns Pizza in Chippenham. The meeting's agenda also included procedural items such as the election of a chairman and the explanation of meeting procedures.

Application for a Premises Licence - Papa Johns Pizza

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a Premises Licence for Papa Johns Pizza, located at 19 New Road, Chippenham, SN15 1HJ. The application was made by Midsomer Pizza Ltd and sought permission for the provision of late-night refreshment daily between 23:00 and 03:00.

The report pack detailed the application, including photographs of the premises and a location plan showing other licensed premises in the vicinity. It also outlined comments from responsible authorities, including the Environmental Health Officer, the Planning Department, and the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. Notably, no representations were received from Wiltshire Police.

A key element of the discussion was expected to be the representation received from Chippenham Town Council^[1]. The Town Council raised concerns about the potential for public nuisance, specifically citing noise and disturbance from customer activity and delivery vehicles due to the proposed late-night hours. They suggested that operating hours similar to those of a nearby Domino's Pizza, which were 11:00-00:00 daily and 11:00-02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, would strike a more reasonable balance.

In response to the representation, Midsomer Pizza Ltd had offered further conditions to promote the licensing objectives. These included measures such as installing and maintaining a CCTV system, training staff in conflict management and refusing entry to intoxicated persons, and ensuring the premises and immediate vicinity are kept free from litter. Additional proposed conditions aimed to address concerns about late-night operations, such as keeping the front door locked after 23:00 except for pre-ordered collections, limiting delivery drivers operating from the premises after 23:00, and instructing drivers not to leave engines idling.

The report pack also included the procedural rules for hearings under the Licensing Act 2003, which outline the framework for how applications are to be heard and the roles of participants.