The General Licensing Committee convened to discuss the renewal of a marriage and civil partnership venue licence for the Blackwell Grange Hotel, and to approve a public consultation on the council's Street Trading Policy. The committee approved the renewal of the Blackwell Grange Hotel's license, and authorised a public consultation on the Street Trading Policy.

Street Trading Policy Review

The committee authorised the commencement of a public consultation process relating to the consideration and adoption of a revised Street Trading Policy.

The Street Trading Policy was last reviewed in January 2015, and the council is seeking views from stakeholders to ensure it remains relevant. The current policy is based on decisions made by the council in 1991 and 1993, and it regulates street trading through consents, rather than licences, for greater flexibility.

The Licensing Manager told the members that:

Over the years, there have been concerns about street trading within the centre of Darlington relating to the number, location of units, noise, the type of goods available for sale, and the appearance of the units. Current retailers have also expressed concerns that whilst they pay premium business rates and ongoing costs to trade, street traders can sell the same or similar goods at less cost and without recurring expenses.

The consultation will allow the council to gather feedback on these and other issues, and to draft a revised policy that reflects the needs of the community.

The current policy allows for 12 daytime trading sites and four night-time sites in the town centre, but there has been a decline in street trading in recent years. Outside the town centre, 19 mobile street traders operate within the borough.

The Street Trading Policy is based on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, which allows councils to designate streets as consent streets, licence streets, and prohibited streets. Darlington currently designates most streets as consent streets, with a number of prohibited streets listed in Appendix 1 of the policy.

Application for Renewal of Licence for Premises to be Approved as a Venue for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships: Blackwell Grange Hotel

The committee approved the renewal of the licence for the Blackwell Grange Hotel, Grange Road, Darlington, as an approved venue for civil marriages and civil partnerships for a further three years, from 22 November 2025 to 22 November 2028.

The Blackwell Grange Hotel is a popular venue for civil marriages and civil partnerships, and the Assistant Director, Law and Governance and Proper Officer for Darlington Registration District reported that ceremonies at the hotel have always worked successfully . The hotel has bookings for weddings in 2026 and 2027, which require a continuation of its licence.

The current locations and capacities for civil marriages and civil partnerships at the hotel are:

• The George Allan Suite - 130
• The Bruhenny Suite - 300
• The Havelock Restaurant - 150
• The Gazebo - 6

Minutes from the meeting on 17 June 2025

The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 June 2025. These minutes included the approval of the renewal of a licence for the Redworth Hall Hotel as an approved premise for civil marriage and civil partnerships for three years, and the approval to undertake a public consultation on Darlington Borough Council's Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licencing Policy.