The Licensing Sub Committee of Cardiff Council was scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence for The Gatekeeper pub. The meeting's agenda also included a confidential item regarding a premises licence review for 10 Mill Lane.

Application to Vary Premises Licence at The Gatekeeper

The committee was scheduled to consider an application from JD Wetherspoon Plc to vary the premises licence for The Gatekeeper, located at 9 Westgate Street, Cardiff. The proposed variation would amend condition 9 of the licence, which currently states that the entrance doors on Westgate Street must close to the public at 9:00 PM each day. The applicant sought to change this to allow these doors to remain open for customers and staff until 11:15 PM from Monday to Saturday, and until 10:45 PM on Sundays, except in cases of emergency.

The report pack indicated that the current licence permits the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 AM. It also allows for late-night refreshment and includes non-standard timings for specific dates such as New Year's Eve, Burns Night, and bank holidays.

Representations were received from other persons regarding this application. One resident of Westgate Street raised an objection, citing concerns about increased noise, potential for trouble, and littering, particularly on event days. They stated, This is a residential area with many of bedrooms and living areas looking onto the street, including those of families with young children and elderly.

Councillor Norma Mackie, the Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services and Councillor for Cathays, also submitted an objection on behalf of herself and residents of Castle Court on Westgate Street. Councillor Mackie highlighted concerns that the proposed extension would increase the noise and anti-social behaviour in Westgate Street causing disruption to the many residents living there. She also noted that even with the current 9:00 PM closure, residents experience anti-social behaviour, which she believes would increase dramatically if the doors were not closed until 11:45. A petition signed by over 50 residents was also submitted in support of the objection.

The report pack outlined that any decision made by the Sub-Committee must promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The committee was to discuss the appropriateness of any conditions on the licence.

Exclusion of the Public

A confidential item, listed as Item 3, was scheduled for discussion. This item was exempt from publication as it contained exempt information under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The public may have been excluded from the meeting during the discussion of this item. The report pack indicated this item related to a premises licence review for 10 Mill Lane.