The Buckinghamshire Council licensing subcommittee met to discuss a variation to the premises license for Marlow Sports Club located at Pound Lane, Marlow. The primary focus was on extending the licensable area to include parts of the grounds adjacent to the existing pavilion, allowing alcohol to be sold directly from these locations.

Premises License Variation for Marlow Sports Club The application sought to vary the defined area of the premises, which was previously confined to the building, to now include an area of the grounds adjacent to the building. This change aimed to facilitate the sale of alcohol from an outside bar, enhancing accessibility, particularly for older members who found it difficult to access the main bar due to stairs. The club experienced the benefits of this arrangement during COVID-19 when regulations were temporarily relaxed.

Public Concerns and Representations During the consultation period, no representations were received from responsible authorities. However, one valid objection was raised by a local resident concerning potential public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety due to noise, light pollution, and increased crowd size. Two representations supported the application, emphasizing the club's community value and the controlled environment it maintained.

Discussion and Clarifications Significant time was spent clarifying the exact areas to be included in the variation. The applicant, represented by David Leggett and Rick Kruejewski, clarified that the licensable area would not encompass the entire sports ground but would be limited to specific sections near the pavilions. They reassured the committee that the club's operations as a members-only facility would continue unchanged, with alcohol sales strictly regulated and large events managed with temporary event notices.

Committee's Decision The licensing officer presented detailed conditions under which the variation could be granted, focusing on preventing crime, public nuisance, and ensuring public safety. These included the use of plastic containers for alcohol in the newly licensable areas, regular collection of glasses and bottles, and clear signage to encourage patrons to leave quietly.

The subcommittee retired to make its decision, considering the licensing objectives, council policies, and the representations made during the hearing. The decision, along with reasons and details of the right to appeal, will be communicated to the applicant and other parties involved.

This meeting highlighted the council's careful consideration of community interests and legal frameworks in licensing decisions, balancing the club's operational needs with potential impacts on local residents. In a recent meeting, the Buckinghamshire Council Licensing Subcommittee discussed a variation to the premises license for Marlow Sports Club located at Pound Lane, Marlow. The primary focus was on extending the licensable area to include parts of the grounds adjacent to the existing building, allowing alcohol to be sold outside.

Premises License Variation for Marlow Sports Club The application sought to vary the defined area of the premises from just the building to also include an area of the grounds adjacent to it. This change was intended to facilitate the sale of alcohol in these outdoor areas, enhancing accessibility and convenience, particularly for older members and during events. The club experienced the benefits of this arrangement during COVID-19 when regulations were temporarily relaxed.

Public Concerns and Representations During the consultation period, there were no objections from responsible authorities, but one public objection was raised concerning potential public nuisance, crime, and safety issues due to increased outdoor activity. However, two representations supported the application. The club addressed these concerns by outlining their management strategies and emphasizing that the change would not significantly alter the club's operations but would merely relocate some of the alcohol sales to outdoor areas.

Conditions and Compliance The club agreed to several conditions to promote licensing objectives, including not allowing drinks in open containers to be removed from the premises, regular collection of empty glasses and bottles from outdoor areas, and displaying notices urging patrons to respect local residents and leave quietly. A Challenge 21 proof of age scheme would also continue to be enforced.

Subcommittee Deliberations The subcommittee reviewed the application details, the proposed conditions, and the public and police inputs. They considered the club's history of managing its premises without significant issues and the specific measures proposed to mitigate potential problems associated with the license variation.

Decision The subcommittee was tasked with deciding whether to grant the variation, reject it, or impose additional conditions. Their decision would be based on whether the proposed changes adequately promoted the licensing objectives and addressed any concerns raised during the consultation period.

In conclusion, the meeting focused on whether extending the licensable area of Marlow Sports Club to include outdoor areas would serve the interests of the club and its community without undermining public safety, preventing crime, or causing nuisance. The decision pending from the subcommittee will consider all these factors.