The Licensing Act Sub Committee of Cornwall Council is scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Probus School Filling Station. The application seeks to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol and introduce late-night refreshment services.

Probus School Filling Station Premises Licence Variation

The main item scheduled for discussion is an application to vary the premises licence for the Probus School Filling Station located on Fore Street, Probus. The applicant, Samy Investments Limited, is seeking to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol to 24 hours a day and to allow for the provision of late-night refreshment between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am daily. The application also proposes to remove existing conditions from the premises licence and introduce new ones.

The report pack indicates that this application has generated representations from eight Other Persons¹, who have raised concerns relating to the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm. These representations highlight worries about potential increases in antisocial behaviour, noise, litter, and traffic in the predominantly residential area, particularly during late-night and early morning hours. Some residents have also expressed concerns about light pollution from the premises.

The Devon and Cornwall Police have made a representation, initially objecting to the application due to concerns about staff safety during late-night hours. However, an agreement has been reached with the applicant to impose a condition that if only one member of staff is on duty between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am, the entrance door to the shop will be closed to customers, and sales will be made through a night pay window. The Police have indicated that, subject to this condition being imposed, they no longer consider a hearing to be necessary.

The Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has stated that they have no objections to the application. Public Health has also responded, indicating no objection from a Data and Public Health perspective.

The committee will need to consider the application in light of the Licensing Act 2003 and the council's adopted Licensing Policy. The policy emphasises the requirement for applicants to include measures in their operating schedules to promote the licensing objectives and to balance the interests of the licensed trade with those of the wider community. The committee has several options, including granting the application as sought, granting it with additional or amended conditions, or refusing the application.

The meeting is scheduled to be held online, and a livestream link is available on the Cornwall Council website.