The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 30 June 2026 to consider an application to vary a premises licence for 11Arches, Flatts Farm, Toronto, Bishop Auckland. The meeting's agenda also included the review of minutes from previous meetings.

Application for Variation to a Premises Licence: 11Arches, Flatts Farm, Toronto, Bishop Auckland

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application to vary the premises licence for 11Arches, located at Flatts Farm, Toronto, Bishop Auckland¹. The application, submitted by Ms Anna Warnecke, Chief Executive Officer of 11Arches, sought to significantly alter the existing licence.

The proposed variations included:

• Increased Operating Days: To change the days on which the premises are open to the public, moving from 18 show dates to a summer season operation of 57 show days between 18 July and 12 September. This would also permit licensable activities every day of the year when required.
• Removal of Sunday Restrictions: To remove existing restrictions on Sundays for all licensable activities.
• Amended Timings for Regulated Entertainment: To amend the days and timings for regulated entertainment activities, both indoors and outdoors. The proposed hours were:
  • Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 18:00 hours
  • Friday, Saturday, and the Sundays before a Bank Holiday: 09:00 – 23:00 hours
  • Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00 hours
• Amended Hours for Late Night Refreshment: To extend the hours for late-night refreshment indoors and outdoors to Fridays and Saturdays only, from 23:00 – 01:00 hours.
• Extended Alcohol Sales: To allow the on-sale supply of alcohol 365 days per year and to add off-sale supply of alcohol. The proposed hours for alcohol sales were:
  • Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 23:00 hours
  • Friday and Saturday: 09:00 – 01:00 hours
  • Sunday: 09:00 – 23:00 hours
• Amended Opening Hours: To amend the overall opening hours each day to:
  • Monday to Thursday: 09:00 – 23:00 hours
  • Friday and Saturday: 09:00 – 01:00 hours
  • Sunday: 09:00 – 23:00 hours
• Additional Conditions and Plans: To add additional conditions to the Operating Schedule and to include an additional plan to the licence to provide an enhanced overview of the site layout.

During the consultation period, one representation opposing the application was received from a local resident. Further additional information was also received from this resident on 18 June 2026. Responses were also received from the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership, Public Health, and Durham Constabulary, all confirming they had no comments to make regarding the application.

The Sub-Committee was asked to determine the application with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. They were recommended to give appropriate weight to the steps taken to promote these objectives, the representations presented, the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.