The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of County Durham Council met on Friday 17 April 2026 to consider an application for the review of a premises licence. The sole item scheduled for discussion was an application to review the licence for The Sweet Trap, following a closure order issued by Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.

Application for Review of Premises Licence: The Sweet Trap

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the review of the premises licence for The Sweet Trap, located at 30 Potto Street, Shotton Colliery, Durham DH6 2LA. This review was triggered by a Closure Order issued by Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on 1 April 2026, pursuant to Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The Closure Order mandated that the premises remain closed to all persons for a period of three months.

The report pack indicated that the premises licence for The Sweet Trap currently permits the sale of alcohol for off-sales only, from Monday to Sunday, between 08:00 and 23:00 hrs. The opening hours for the premises are also set at Monday to Sunday, 08:00 to 23:00 hrs. Mr Charles Sproat is listed as the premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor.

Durham Constabulary submitted a representation for the review, detailing a history of concerns related to anti-social behaviour (ASB) associated with the premises since its opening in October 2025. The representation highlighted issues such as large groups of youths congregating outside the premises, illegal use of off-road motorcycles and electric bikes, noise nuisance, intimidation of the public, criminal damage, and repeated failures to comply with police requests for CCTV footage. A test purchase operation had also raised concerns regarding the sale of vapes to children.

The report pack outlined several options available to the Sub-Committee, including taking no further action, modifying or adding conditions to the licence, excluding a licensable activity, removing the Designated Premises Supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely.

The Sub-Committee was recommended to give appropriate weight to the steps considered appropriate to promote the licensing objectives, the representations presented by all parties, Durham County Council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹, and the Guidance issued to local authorities under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003².