The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to discuss an application to vary a premises licence for The Bowling Green, 175 Lee Lane, Horwich, Bolton. The committee decided to grant the application, permitting an outside seating area at the rear of the premises with specific closing times.

Application to Vary a Premises Licence – The Bowling Green, 175 Lee Lane, Horwich, Bolton

The Sub-Committee granted the application to vary the Premises Licence at The Bowling Green, 175 Lee Lane, Horwich, Bolton, as per the operating schedule.

The application sought permission to vary the licence to provide an outside seating area at the rear of the premises. This area would close at 20:30 on Fridays and 21:00 on Saturdays, and at 20:30 from Sunday to Thursday. The seating area, designed for 4 x 6-seater benches, would be separated from the public highway by an existing double gate and a new gate and fence. The only licensable activity in this area would be the sale of alcohol.

The report submitted to the sub-committee detailed how the premises would meet the four licensing objectives¹, including measures for public safety, prevention of nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These included:

• Operating the seating area only when weather permitted.
• Additional staffing and monitoring every 15 minutes, along with CCTV.
• Risk assessments for capacity and fire exit accessibility.
• Closure of the outside area during live music events inside the venue.
• Periodic checks on decibel levels and staff training on over-consumption.
• No children allowed after 7.00 p.m., and those present must be accompanied by an adult, with a limit of two alcoholic drinks per adult.

The application had been advertised according to the Licensing Act, resulting in representations from a ward councillor and local residents, including a petition with 42 signatures. Objections were primarily concerned with:

• Access to the rear of the building, which serves as an access road to other properties, including parking spaces for a sheltered home for the elderly, Rivington House.
• Antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, referencing a previous landlord sealing the street with access gates.
• Noise, rowdiness, and disruption, especially affecting residents at Rivington House.
• Instances of crimes and inappropriate behaviour witnessed in the street.
• Disturbance from noise late into the night, including live music, deliveries, and bin collections.
• Parking problems and safety concerns for children walking in the road.
• Allegations that the premises did not adhere to current licence conditions, with photographs provided of people drinking outside the pub.

[Mr A. Webb, Operations Manager for the Pub Group], stated that the pub had been operating successfully since 2016 with very few incidents. He said that the premises was a member of the Pubwatch Scheme² and worked closely with the police. He also stated that the pub wanted to work with the local community and operated a strict drug policy.

[Ms. M. McKay], the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) ³, said that she was happy to meet with residents and work with the local community. She also clarified that the event with people drinking on the streets was Horwich Rox, a licensed music festival, and there had been no issues during the day.

The Sub-Committee considered all representations and government guidance, bearing in mind the licensing objectives, Bolton Council's Licensing Policy, and guidance from the Secretary of State.

The Sub-Committee felt that a beer garden at the rear of the premises would be a safer option for customers and children compared to sitting at the front. They also considered the proposed closing times for the beer garden to be reasonable.

The Sub-Committee were of the opinion that a proposed beer garden at the rear of the premises would be a safer option for customers and children as opposed to sitting at the front of the premises and they felt that time closing times for the beer garden were reasonable.

The Sub-Committee noted the applicant's willingness to engage with residents and the local community, and that there were no objections from the responsible authorities, including Greater Manchester Police.