The Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee of West Suffolk Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 26 October 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Queen's Head public house in Haverhill. The meeting will also address procedural matters, including the election of a Chair.

Application for a New Premises Licence – The Queen's Head, Queen Street, Haverhill

The primary focus of the meeting is expected to be the consideration of an application for a new premises licence for The Queen's Head, located at 9 Queen Street, Haverhill¹. This application, detailed in the Public reports pack for the meeting², seeks to reopen the public house, which previously held a licence that was surrendered. The proposed licensable activities include the provision of indoor sporting events, live and recorded music, and the supply of alcohol for both on and off-site consumption.

The application outlines specific timings for these activities, with proposed hours extending into the early morning on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for the supply of alcohol and recorded music. The applicant has also indicated potential seasonal variations and non-standard timings for events, particularly around Christmas and New Year.

During the statutory consultation period, representations were received from two other persons, Mr. Gary Birch and Mr. Mike Driver. These representations, detailed in Appendices E and F of the Public reports pack², have necessitated this hearing. While the Police and Environmental Health teams have agreed on certain conditions with the applicant to promote the licensing objectives, Mr. Birch and Mr. Driver have not withdrawn their representations.

The Sub-Committee will consider the steps appropriate to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The potential outcomes for the application include granting the licence with conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, or rejecting the application entirely. The decision will be made in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003³, West Suffolk Council's Statement of Licensing Policy⁴, and guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003⁵.