The Licensing Sub-Committee of Milton Keynes Council was scheduled to convene on Thursday 11 September 2025, to consider a new premises licence application for the MK Irish Centre, and to outline the procedure to be followed in the determination of the application. The application seeks to extend the licensed area to include an outside space.

Here's a breakdown of the key items from the agenda:

New Premises Licence Application - The Irish Centre, Fenny Stratford

The sub-committee was scheduled to review an application for a new premises licence submitted by Milton Keynes Irish Centre Limited, concerning the MK Irish Centre, located at The Pavillion, Manor Fields, Bletchley, MK2 2HX.

The application requests authorisation for several licensable activities:

• Late Night Refreshment indoors: Thursday to Saturday 23:00 - 01:00
• The supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.
• Regulated entertainment (plays, films live music, recorded music and performance of dance) indoors and outdoors from 10:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Wednesday and from 10:00 to 01:00 Thursday, Friday and Saturday (internal areas only after 23:00).
• Opening hours from 08:00 to 23:30 Sunday to Wednesday and from 08:00 to 01:30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with additional timings for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.

The report pack noted that the main difference between the current licence and the application was the licensing of an external area. The applicant had offered to restrict times in outdoor areas to 23:00, but it was not clear if this applied to any marquees or tents on site in the outside area.

The report pack included several annexes:

• Annex A: Application and Premises Plan
• Annex B: Agreed Amendments to Application
• Annex C: Representations from Other Persons (adverse)
• Annex D: Representation from Other Persons (supportive)
• Annex E: Existing Licence
• Annex F: Extract from Section 182 Guidance and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy

Representations from Other Persons

The council received representations from several sources, both for and against the application.

Residents of Brick Field, whose properties back onto the external area proposed for licensing, raised concerns relating to several licensing objectives. These included:

• Music noise from external events.
• The impact of a larger licensed area.
• Trespass onto private land.
• Inadequate access to the site.
• The proposed hours of operation.

Those who submitted representations against the application included:

• Anne Sharkey, a local resident of Launas.
• Mr Brian C Harvey
• Jon Atkins
• Isla Stanger and Hubert Shorter
• Paul Dellow
• Freya Patel
• Richard Stansfield
• Louise Spencer and Susan Spencer
• K Gandhi
• Mr and Mrs Prydderech
• Anja Breidenbach
• P&R Management Services, managing agent of The Moorings (Fenny) Management Company Ltd

One supportive representation was received from the Football Club.

Licensing Considerations

The report pack stated that the sub-committee is required to determine the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 and must, having regard to the representations, take such steps that it considers appropriate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives.

The steps that the Committee can take are:

• modify the terms of the application in granting a licence;
• reject the application or part of the application; or
• grant the application as applied for.

The four Licensing Objectives are:

• The Prevention of Crime and Disorder.
• The Promotion of Public Safety.
• The Prevention of Public Nuisance.
• The Protection of Children from Harm.

The report pack also noted that when carrying out its functions under the Licensing Act 2003, and determining an application, the Licensing Authority must have regard to the Guidance issued by the Home Secretary under section 182 of the Act and its own Statement of Licensing Policy.

Licensing Sub-Committee Procedure

Councillor Akash Nayee, Chair of the Licensing & Regulatory Committee, was scheduled to outline the procedure to be followed by the Sub-Committee in the determination of an application for a new Premises Licence. This included:

• The Licensing Officer presenting the details of the application.
• The applicant presenting their case and calling witnesses.
• Other parties presenting their cases, with responsible authorities speaking before interested parties.
• An opportunity for all parties to sum up their cases.
• The Sub-Committee adjourning to make its decision in private, with only the legal advisor and clerk present.
• The Sub-Committee informing all parties of its decision, including any conditions and reasons for those conditions.