The Licensing (Licensing and Gambling) Sub-Committee of Southampton Council met on Wednesday 10 September 2025 to consider an application for a new premises licence. The sub-committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes from a previous meeting, and to exclude the press and public to receive legal advice.

Application for New Premises Licence - Munchiies, 18 Carlton Place

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Munchiies, located at 18 Carlton Place, Southampton, SO15 2DY. According to the application, Munchiies is a:

Retail store selling takeaway food inc milkshakes, sweets, ice cream. We want to add alcohol to our business to sell as well as cigarettes and vapes.

The applicant, Munchiies Ltd, sought permission to provide late night refreshment, supply alcohol, and play recorded music, as well as anything of a similar description to that falling within live music, recorded music, or performance of dance . The application specified the intention to amplify music after 23:00.

The report pack included a summary of the licensable activities that were applied for, including:

• Recorded music from 11:00 to 02:00 Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 to 01:00 on Sundays.
• Provision of late night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 23:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.
• Supply of alcohol from 11:00 to 01:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 11:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday.

The applicant named Jamie John Pugi as the designated premises supervisor¹.

The report pack noted that Hampshire Constabulary had agreed conditions with the applicant, but Environmental Health had some concerns.

Seven representations from other persons were included in the report pack.

Hampshire Constabulary Agreed Conditions

PC Paul Dimmer from Hampshire Constabulary reviewed the application and consulted with Alisdair Pugi from Munchiies Ltd. As a result, Alisdair Pugi agreed to changed licensing hours and conditions.

The agreed conditions included:

• Operating a Challenge 25 policy²
• Installing a colour recording CCTV system
• Maintaining a written log of all refusals, including refusals to sell alcohol
• Maintaining an incident book to record any activity of a violent, criminal or anti-social nature
• Training staff regarding precautions to prevent the sale of alcohol to people under 18, proxy sales³, the signs and symptoms of drunk persons, and the refusal of sale due to intoxication
• Ensuring that all alcohol delivery orders are paid for at the point of ordering
• Making a risk assessment as to the need for SIA-approved security each weekend

Environmental Health Objection

Matthew Taylor, Principal Environmental Health Officer at Southampton City Council, raised concerns regarding the application, stating that the proposed opening hours until 05:00 were likely to cause considerable disturbance to local residential properties.

Matthew Taylor stated that a reduction of hours would be required before the application could be supported by Environmental Health. Matthew Taylor also stated that he wished to see firm conditions upon the licence, including:

• Ensuring that no noise generated on the premises emanates from the premises nor vibration be transmitted through the structure of the premises which gives rise to a nuisance
• Playing all audio from the music system at background level only
• Ensuring that no music is played externally
• Closing the outside area at the rear at 22:00, and the outside area at the front of the property in line with a tables and chairs licence
• Ensuring that no waste or recyclable materials are moved, removed from or placed in outside areas between 23:00 and 07:00
• Ensuring that no deliveries to the premises take place between 23:00 and 07:00
• Displaying notices at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly
• Ensuring that no fumes, steam or odours are emitted from the licensed premises so as to cause a nuisance to any persons living or carrying on business in the area where the premises are situated
• Training all staff including delivery drivers to be considerate of neighbouring premises

Representations from Other Persons

Several representations were received from other persons, raising concerns about the application.

David Ford, a resident of 34 Carlton Place, objected to the licence, stating that there are already three pubs within 100 feet of the premises, and that the business would exacerbate the existing problems with alcoholics and drug users in the area.

John Cooney, owner of The Cricketers Arms, located at 34 Carlton Place, objected to the application, stating that the revised hours would attract potential troublemakers, including drug takers, and that the risk of disturbance, public disorder, as well as overall nuisance was extremely high.

Jordana Pereira, landlady of 18 Carlton Place and owner of Perfect Pear Brazilian Aesthetics, located at 77 Bedford Place, stated that if the premises opened until 05:00 selling alcohol, there would be an increase in antisocial behaviour in an area that already suffers from it. Jordana Pereira also raised concerns about rubbish disposal and the potential for vandalism.

Kevin Gallagher, a resident of 200 Hill Lane, objected to the licence being granted, stating that the area is currently inundated with venues selling alcohol to the public. Kevin Gallagher also raised concerns about environmental issues, ventilation, rubbish disposal, customer toilets and security.

Mandy Lacey-Cross, co-owner of The Raven & Bine, located at 16 Carlton Place, objected to the proposal for late night alcohol sales at Munchiies, stating that it would be very detrimental to the street. Mandy Lacey-Cross raised concerns about the venue being too small to have a bar, the age of the staff, security, toilet facilities, and the potential for noise and disturbance.

Megan Leonard, owner of Medusa, located at 15 Carlton Place, objected to the licensing application, stating that it would encourage antisocial behaviour, littering and a general nuisance in the area.

Sam McLaughlin, a resident of 34 Carlton Place, objected to the application, stating that the new opening hours would cause a noise disturbance, an attraction of trouble makers and a general nuisance to the residents.