The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for The Crane & Tap, located at 1 Brewery Lane, Twickenham. The application sought to remove a condition that restricted alcohol sales to table meals only on event days at Twickenham Stadium, replacing it with a requirement for a clicker system to monitor customer numbers. The committee heard representations from the applicant, local residents, and the licensing officer.

Variation of Licence for The Crane & Tap

The Licensing Sub-Committee heard an application to vary the premises licence for The Crane & Tap, 1 Brewery Lane, Twickenham, TW1 1AA. The primary request was to amend Condition 12 of the existing licence. This condition currently stipulates that on days when Twickenham Stadium hosts events with a capacity exceeding 30,000, alcohol can only be sold to patrons taking table meals. The applicant proposed replacing this with a requirement to use a clicker system to record customer numbers every 30 minutes, with the log made available for inspection. The applicant also sought to update the premises plan and ensure food was available throughout trading hours.

The application was opposed by four local residents who raised concerns about potential increases in noise, anti-social behaviour, obstruction of access to their residential block, and a shift from a restaurant to a vertical drinking establishment. They cited a previous incident on 12 September 2026 where amplified music and vibrations allegedly caused significant disturbance.

The applicant, represented by Stephen Thomas, argued that the proposed variation was necessary for the business to remain viable, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis and increased operating costs. They stated that the existing condition made it difficult to operate profitably on event days, as customers increasingly preferred to eat at home. The applicant clarified that the intention was not to remove seating or reduce the overall capacity but to allow flexibility for customers to purchase drinks without a meal. They also volunteered additional measures, including not holding similar functions in the future, only providing incidental background music, closing the external seating area at 10:00 PM, and closing the premises at 10:30 PM on event days with the last alcohol sale at 10:00 PM.

After considering all representations, the Sub-Committee's decision on the variation was to be communicated in writing within five working days. The committee noted that while the applicant had proposed a clicker system, the residents' concerns about noise and public nuisance were significant. The imposed conditions aimed to balance the applicant's need for a viable business with the residents' right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes.