The Licensing Sub Committee of North West Leicestershire District Council met on Wednesday 17 June 2026 to consider an application to vary a premises licence. The primary focus of the meeting was an application by Ms Selina Wallis to vary the licence for The Bull's Head pub in Ashby de la Zouch.

Application to Vary Premises Licence for The Bull's Head

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a variation of the premises licence for The Bull's Head, located at 67 Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1AH. The applicant, Ms Selina Wallis, sought to extend the operating hours of the premises and to include an external bar in the beer garden within the licensed area.

The report pack indicated that the application proposed extending the hours for the sale of alcohol on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until 02:00 hours. It also detailed the existing licensable activities authorised by the current licence, which include the sale of alcohol, late-night refreshment, live and recorded music, performance of dance, provision of films, and indoor sporting events. The proposed variation aimed to extend the hours for many of these activities, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with closing times extending to 02:30 on those days.

Representations were received regarding this application. Leicestershire Police submitted a representation on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The police noted that the premises is located within a cumulative impact area and expressed concerns that the proposed extensions could undermine the licensing objectives. They requested a number of additional conditions be placed on the licence, including the cessation of alcohol sales 30 minutes before closing, the installation of a comprehensive CCTV system, the deployment of Security Industry Authority (SIA) door supervisors on Saturdays, and the use of body-worn cameras. The applicant, Ms. Wallis, agreed to these proposed conditions, which were detailed in a signed agreement.

An objection was also received from the Ashby Civic Society, primarily on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. The society objected to the extension of licencing hours in the garden to 02:00, expressing concerns about potential excessive noise and anti-social behaviour, particularly for nearby residents. They also raised concerns about potential vandalism in the area.

The report pack outlined that the committee was obliged to have regard to the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003¹ and the council's own Statement of Licensing Policy 2024-2029². The council's policy includes a special policy on cumulative impact zones (CIZs), which aims to prevent the granting of further licences or variations that could exacerbate existing issues within those areas. The report noted that while this policy provides a basis for refusal, each application is considered on a case-by-case basis, requiring applicants to demonstrate that their operation would not add to the cumulative impact.

The committee was presented with the option to grant the application and issue the variation, modify the conditions of the licence, or reject the application in whole or in part. The report also stated that there is a right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court against the Sub Committee's decision for both the applicant and those who made representations.