The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of County Durham Council met on Monday 18 May 2026 to consider an application for the variation of a premises licence. The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application concerning The Fountain public house in Consett.

Application to Vary a Premises Licence: The Fountain, Consett

The committee was scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for The Fountain, located at 41 Medomsley Road, Consett, DH8 5HG. The application, submitted by Mr David Walton, Director of The Fountain (Consett) Limited, sought several changes to the existing licence.

These proposed variations included:

• The removal and replacement of current seasonal variations and non-standard timings for all licensable activities.
• The addition of live music to the licence, to be permitted indoors between 23:00 and 00:00.
• Amendments to the hours for the supply of alcohol for both on and off-sales. The proposed hours were 09:00 to 00:30 from Monday to Thursday, and 09:00 to 01:00 from Friday to Sunday.
• Changes to the premises' opening hours, which would remain the same from Monday to Thursday (08:30 to 01:00) but be extended from Friday to Sunday to 08:30 to 01:30.
• The removal of several outdated conditions from Annex 2 of the licence, relating to health and hygiene certificates for staff, the presence of a kitchen extractor fan, and the removal of an AWP machine and cigarette machine.
• The addition of new conditions concerning CCTV provision, staff training, the Challenge 25 policy, and the admittance of children.
• An update to the licence layout plan to reflect refurbishment, the removal of a kitchen, and the addition of an outdoor seating area.

During the consultation period for this application, one representation opposing the variation was received from a local resident, Mrs J Parker. Mrs Parker expressed concerns regarding potential increases in noise disturbance, particularly during late hours, and the possibility of exacerbating antisocial behaviour and public nuisance. She also highlighted existing issues with litter and parking congestion in the vicinity of the premises, noting her particular concern as a resident in her late 70s.

Responses from the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership, the Planning Department, and Public Health indicated they had no comments to make. Durham Constabulary also confirmed they had no objections after the licence holder agreed to amend some of the proposed conditions.

The committee was asked to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, considering 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 pack also included minutes from previous meetings of the Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee held on 26 November 2025 (twice), 8 December 2025, 10 December 2025, and 19 December 2025, which were scheduled for confirmation.