The Licensing Sub-Committee B of Carmarthenshire Council met on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, to consider an application for a premises licence for the Llanelli Central East Premier Inn. The committee unanimously resolved to grant the licence on terms and conditions agreed between the applicant and the police.

Llanelli Central East Premier Inn Premises Licence Application

The Sub-Committee considered an application from Whitbread Group PLC for a premises licence for the Llanelli Central East Premier Inn, located at Pemberton Business Park, Llanelli, SA14 9BD. The application sought permission for the supply of alcohol, exhibition of films, and provision of late-night refreshment, with proposed hours extending until 00:30 from Monday to Sunday. The premises also requested extended opening hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and 24-hour access for hotel residents.

The committee had before it the application documents, representations from Dyfed Powys Police, and representations from a local member, Councillor Sharen Davies. The police had initially made representations requesting specific conditions to promote the licensing objectives, which were subsequently agreed upon by the applicant, Whitbread Group PLC. These agreed conditions included robust CCTV coverage, a Challenge 21 proof of age scheme, and adherence to BBFC classifications for films.

Councillor Sharen Davies submitted a representation opposing the application. Her concerns centred on the inconsistency of the requested late hours with the premises' current use as temporary accommodation for homeless and vulnerable individuals, arguing that this use diverged from the intended planning use class C1 (Hotel). She also raised concerns about the potential for public nuisance, risks to public safety and resident welfare, and a lack of justification for the extended hours.

The Sub-Committee received oral representations from Mr. Tim Shield, solicitor for the applicant. After considering all submitted documents and representations, the committee resolved to retire into private session.

Upon returning to public session, the Sub-Committee unanimously resolved to grant the premises licence. The reasons provided for this decision highlighted that the premises already held a licence, no evidence of crime, disorder, or public nuisance associated with its operation had been presented, and the new licence reflected physical changes to the premises. The committee noted that the police did not object to the application on crime and disorder grounds, and no objections were received from other responsible authorities. The applicant's agreement to the police's requested control measures was also a significant factor.

The committee stated that it could not consider concerns unsupported by real evidence, nor could it duplicate other statutory regimes such as development control. While acknowledging Councillor Davies' concerns, the committee was bound to consider the application in accordance with relevant legislation and statutory guidance, and determined that issues of need were not relevant to the decision. Ultimately, the Sub-Committee was satisfied that granting the application, as amended by the agreement between the applicant and the police, would not undermine any of the licensing objectives, and that the proposed additional licence conditions were appropriate for promoting those objectives.