The Western Area Licensing Sub Committee met to consider an application from Jarboom Limited for a time-limited premises licence for the Wiltshire Throwback Festival, scheduled to take place at Melksham Football and Rugby Club on Eastern Way, Melksham. Ultimately, the committee resolved to grant the licence for live music, recorded music, and the sale of alcohol, subject to a condition that the event adheres fully to the finalised Event Management Plan (EMP). This decision came after representations from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council Highways Team, and Melksham Town Council were withdrawn, as their concerns had been addressed.

Wiltshire Throwback Festival Licence Granted

The sub-committee resolved to grant the licence for the Wiltshire Throwback Festival, after considering the report, evidence, and submissions from all parties, and having regard to the Statutory Guidance, the council's statement of licensing policy, and the Licensing Act 2003. The licence was granted for the following licensable activities:

The decision was subject to the condition that the event be run in full accordance with the finalised Event Management Plan (EMP).

The sub-committee noted that the three representations received from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council Highways Team, and Melksham Town Council were withdrawn prior to the hearing, as they were satisfied that the work to mitigate their concerns had been met. They accepted the amendment to the application, which was confirmed at the meeting, that this would be a time-limited premises licence for Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June only, and that the event would be limited in attendance to 3,000 at any time.

Licensing Application

[Roy Bahadoor, Principal Licensing Officer] presented a report to the Sub Committee, seeking a determination for an application for a time limited premises licence. Three relevant representations had been received from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council Highways Team, and Melksham Town Council.

Mr Bahadoor noted that the Sub Committee had four options available to them:

• Grant the licence subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule.
• Exclude any licensable activity from the scope of the application.
• Refuse to specify a person as the designated premises supervisor¹.
• Reject the application.

The application was initially received on 18 March 2025 for a three-day event from 20-22 June 2025. However, discrepancies between the application form and the blue notices² led to an amendment on 1 April 2025.

Two Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) meetings were convened to discuss event organisation and management. The representations raised concerns regarding public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. It was noted that the applicant intended to exclude licensable activities on Sunday 22 June, and that the event capacity would not exceed 3,000 people at any one time.

Applicant's Submission

[Nico Menghini] and [Gary Cooke], the applicants from Jarboom Limited, addressed the sub-committee to support their application. They emphasised their commitment to addressing the objections raised and highlighted their efforts to improve the event's organisation. They had met with Melksham Town Council to explain their mitigation plans and ensure the licensing objectives would be upheld.

The applicants stressed that they had been working on the event for 18 months, with administrative work starting in January 2025. They had collaborated with Melksham Rugby Club and Football Club for several years and believed they could manage an event of this scale. Safety was their primary concern, and they had worked with the relevant authorities to ensure a community-based event that could be repeated in the future.

Sub Committee Member's Questions

Clarification was sought from the applicants on their experience, the involvement of experienced staff, and the measures in place for security and safety. The applicants confirmed their experience in event management and the engagement of experienced staff. They also detailed the security measures, including Heras fencing and patrols, and the involvement of an experienced bar company.

Responsible Authorities' Submissions

As their representations had been withdrawn, there were no submissions from the responsible authorities.

Submissions from those who made relevant representations

There were no other parties present.