The Licensing Panel convened to address two applications under the Licensing Act 2003. A new premises licence was granted to Level, a venue on Station Road, Batley, and a full variation of an existing premises licence was approved for The Office, located at Fold Head Mills, Huddersfield Road, Mirfield.

Licensing Act 2003 - Application for The Office, Fold Head Mills, Huddersfield Road, Mirfield

The panel approved the application for the full variation of a premises licence for The Office, Fold Head Mills, Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, WF14 8BE. This allows the venue to extend its hours for the sale of alcohol, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshment until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Office has held a premises licence since 16 November 2016. The application sought to extend the hours for licensable activities on Fridays and Saturdays to 2:00 am. The original application also included some seasonal variations, but this was later withdrawn by the applicant.

Representations against the variation were received from local ward Councillors, who raised concerns that the extension could undermine the licensing objectives related to:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance

According to the Public Reports Pack, no representations were received from any of the responsible authorities¹.

The applicant, The Tipsy Toad Bar Company Ltd, outlined additional steps they would take to promote the four licensing objectives as a result of the proposed variation, including:

• Employing Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered door staff until 2:00 am on sessions
• Training bar staff to Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) standard
• Adhering to the existing noise management plan, with SIA staff and management asking patrons to leave quietly and music being lowered after 1:30 am
• Maintaining the current Challenge 25 policy², accepting only passports or driving licences as valid identification, and training staff to DPS standard

Licensing Act 2003 - Application for Level, 47-49 Station Road, Batley

The panel approved the application for the grant of a premises licence to Level, located at 47 – 49 Station Road, Batley, WF17 5SU, as requested.

According to the Public Reports Pack, the applicant, NK Events Ltd, applied for a wide range of licensable activities, including:

• Sale of alcohol (on the premises): Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 9am to 2am the following day
• Performance of dance: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 9am to 2am the following day
• Films: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 9am to 2am the following day
• Live music: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 9am to 2am the following day
• Late night refreshment: Monday to Saturday, 11pm to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 11pm to 2am the following day
• Plays: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 9am to 2am the following day
• Recorded music: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3.30am the following day; Sunday, 9am to 2am the following day

The Public Reports Pack states that the premises had previously been licensed as a nightclub from 2005 to 2013, with no reported issues. More recently, the premises had operated under several Temporary Event Notices (TENs)³ between December 2023 and December 2024, also without reported issues.

A representation was received from Environmental Health, raising concerns about the prevention of public nuisance. Environmental Health stated that they could not support the application due to concerns about noise from the premises impacting nearby noise-sensitive receptors. The Public Reports Pack notes that the adjacent building has been converted into four residential apartments since the premises last operated as a nightclub.

The applicant outlined steps they intended to take to promote the four licensing objectives, including:

• Installing and maintaining a comprehensive CCTV system
• Ensuring staff are trained in their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003
• Appointing SIA-trained door staff
• Implementing a Challenge 25 policy
• Conducting regular noise assessments and taking steps to reduce noise levels
• Displaying notices asking visitors to leave the area quietly

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The panel approved the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2025 as a correct record. The minutes concerned an application for the review of a premises licence for Gomersal Lodge Hotel (Marquee), 189 Spen Lane, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, BD19 4PJ, which was revoked due to noise nuisance.