The Licensing Sub-Committee A of Carmarthenshire Council met on Tuesday 19 August 2025 to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Coco Bay Beach & Café Bar. The sub-committee unanimously resolved to grant the application, subject to additional control measures agreed between the applicant and the Police and Public Health Services.

Variation of Premises Licence for Coco Bay Beach & Café Bar

The Licensing Sub-Committee A considered an application to vary the premises licence for Coco Bay Beach & Café Bar, located at 13 Old Castle Road, Llanelli, SA15 2SL. The proposed variation sought to extend the hours for live and recorded music to Friday and Saturday evenings, from 11:00 PM to midnight.

During the meeting, it was noted that representations had been received from Dyfed Powys Police and Environmental Health, as well as from a member of the public concerning noise nuisance. However, the applicant had agreed to additional control measures proposed by both the Police and Environmental Health, leading to the withdrawal of their formal representations.

The applicant, Paul Roberts, provided oral representations, reiterating that the café bar had largely remained closed on Friday nights, with CCTV evidence provided to support this. He also confirmed that all conditions requested by the Police and Public Health Services had been agreed upon, with some already implemented, to mitigate any potential impact on residents.

The sub-committee received legal advice in private before making its decision. In reaching its unanimous decision to grant the application, the sub-committee considered the existing licence, the lack of objection from the Police and Public Health Services, and the applicant's agreement to the additional control measures. The sub-committee acknowledged the representation from a member of the public but stated that concerns not supported by real evidence could not be taken into account. They were satisfied that the proposed variation, with the agreed additional control measures, would not undermine the licensing objectives and represented a proportionate response.

The additional control measures agreed upon included:

• All staff employed in licensed areas receiving training in the recognition of 'Ask for Angela' and spiking awareness.
• Staff checking that self-closing doors are not wedged open during regulated entertainment.
• Loudspeakers not being located in entrance or lobby areas, or outside the premises.
• All external windows and doors being kept shut when music is being played.
• Toilets being checked at regular intervals for the detection and deterrence of controlled drug and psychoactive substance use.
• Customers drinking and/or smoking outside the premises doing so in an orderly manner, supervised by staff to prevent public nuisance or obstruction.
• Clear notices and posters displayed at exits encouraging customers to be respectful of neighbours and limit noise disturbance.
• During regulated entertainment, all external windows and doors to be kept closed, except for access and egress.
• Automatic door closers to be fitted to access and egress points.
• Signage to be erected reminding patrons to keep doors shut during regulated entertainment.
• Customers to use the rear courtyard as the designated smoking area and not smoke at the front of the premises.

The sub-committee's decision was based on promoting 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 full details of the application and the agreed conditions can be found in the Public reports pack.