The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Rage It Out, an indoor activity and leisure venue in Consett. The meeting's agenda also included the confirmation of previous minutes and the consideration of apologies for absence and substitute members.

Application for Premises Licence: Rage It Out

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for Rage It Out, located at 12-16 Queen Street, Consett, County Durham DH8 5DA. This venue is described as an indoor activity and leisure venue offering supervised, pre-booked recreational experiences. These include rage room sessions using breakable items and an axe-throwing experience.

The application requested permission for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises during the following hours:

• Monday: 15:00 to 23:00
• Friday: 16:00 to 23:00
• Saturday: 15:00 to 23:00
• Sunday: 13:00 to 22:00
• New Year's Eve: 18:00 to 01:00

The applicant, Rage It Out Limited, represented by Director Mr James Lillistone, outlined steps to promote the four licensing objectives within its operating schedule. These included a Challenge 25 policy for alcohol sales, refusal of participation to those under the influence of alcohol or drugs, prohibition of alcohol consumption in activity areas, and staff training in conflict management and responsible alcohol service.

Durham Constabulary submitted a representation opposing the application. Their concerns, detailed in Appendix 4 of the reports pack, focused on the potential undermining of the licensing objectives of The Prevention of Crime and Disorder and Public Safety. The police highlighted that the combination of axe throwing and the availability of alcohol, both during and after activities, presented a compounded and foreseeable risk. They argued that alcohol consumption, even at moderate levels, reduces inhibitions and impairs judgment, which, when combined with activities involving dangerous implements like axes or structured destructive behaviour in rage rooms, could increase the likelihood of reckless behaviour, escalation of disputes, misuse of equipment, and potential disorder. The police stated that they were not aware of any similar venues in the North East that held an alcohol licence.

The Planning Department also provided comments, advising the applicant to submit a pre-application enquiry.

The Sub-Committee was asked to determine the application, giving appropriate weight to the steps proposed by the applicant, the representations made, the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The report outlined several options for the Sub-Committee, including granting the licence with conditions, modifying conditions, excluding licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor, or rejecting the application entirely.