The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for The Old Auction House in Royal Tunbridge Wells. This included proposed changes to the hours for live and recorded music, the sale of alcohol, and general opening hours, as well as the removal of certain existing conditions.

Variation of Premises Licence for The Old Auction House

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to determine an application to vary the premises licence for The Old Auction House, located at Linden Park Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QL. The application, received on 2nd July 2026, sought to amend the existing licence in several ways.

The proposed variations included:

• Live and Recorded Music: To add live and recorded music from 23:00 to 23:59, seven days a week.
• Sale of Alcohol: To amend the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol, both on and off the premises, to be from 08:00 to 23:59, seven days a week.
• Opening Hours: To amend the permitted opening hours to be from 08:00 to 23:59, seven days a week.
• Removal of Conditions: To remove conditions 2 and 3 from Annex 3 Conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule on the existing premises licence. These conditions currently state that alcohol for consumption on the premises will only be sold to persons seated at a table and will only be served by waiter service.

The report pack indicated that the applicant, Irwin And Owens Ltd, stated the proposed variation was intended to provide flexibility for occasional pre-booked events and community functions, rather than to extend the premises' normal day-to-day operation. The applicant also stated a commitment to promoting all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Seven relevant representations were received from other persons during the public consultation period, raising concerns primarily related to the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance. These representations highlighted potential increases in noise from music and patrons, late-night anti-social behaviour, litter, and the impact of customers leaving the premises late at night on residents in the vicinity. Some objectors also expressed concern about the proposed removal of conditions 2 and 3, believing it would increase the potential for noise and dispersal issues.

The applicant's responses to these representations aimed to clarify that the application was primarily to align licensable activity hours with the existing midnight closing time, rather than to introduce routine late-night trading. They also outlined measures in place to manage noise, such as decibel readings, closing doors and windows from 22:00, and instructing security staff to monitor external noise and behaviour.

Environmental Health, a responsible authority, had agreed to several conditions to be placed on the premises licence if the application was granted. These included the maintenance of a documented noise management plan, regular external noise checks, a written record of noise complaints, and prominent notices at exits requesting patrons to leave quietly.

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to determine the application by either granting the variation subject to conditions or rejecting the application in whole or in part. The decision was to be made after considering the merits of the application, the representations, the Guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy.