The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council scheduled a meeting to discuss a premises licence application and confirm the minutes of previous meetings. Councillor Tim Robson, Chair of the Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee, was scheduled to chair the meeting.

Premises Licence Application - The Inglenook Wine Bar

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Inglenook Wine Bar, located at 42 The Bank, Barnard Castle. The applicant, The Inglenook Wine Bar and Merchants Ltd, with Mr Morgan William Derbyshire as the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor, initially submitted the application on 4 December 2024. The application was previously considered on 25 January 2025, but the hearing was adjourned to allow Mr Derbyshire to provide a noise assessment report and further information about the proposed premises.

The original application requested the following:

• Sale of alcohol (on and off the premises):
  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:00 to 18:00
  • Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 22:00
  • Sunday: 12:00 to 18:00
• Opening hours:
  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:00 to 18:00
  • Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 22:00
  • Sunday: 12:00 to 18:00

Mr Derbyshire later amended the hours for the sale of alcohol on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to 10:00 to 21:00.

The report pack for the meeting noted that Mr Derbyshire had provided additional information, including proposed conditions and a noise assessment report. Following mediation with Durham Constabulary, the applicant agreed to include additional conditions, including:

• All staff to be fully trained, with training recorded in a register.
• The premises to operate a Challenge 25 scheme¹, with a register of refusals maintained.
• The premises to maintain an incident book.
• Children under 18 to not be allowed entry after 21:00, unless attending a private function or employed by the venue.

During the consultation period, the council received four representations opposing the application from Mr Colley, Mr & Mrs Craddock, B Davison & C Kirkham, and Mr & Mrs Hepburn. The representations related to concerns about crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Responses were received from Public Health, Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership and County Durham and Darlington Fire Safety Authority, all confirming they had no comments to make regarding the application. The Planning Authority also responded with comments and clarification on the planning situation.

The sub-committee was asked to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, giving appropriate weight to the steps that are appropriate to promote the licensing objectives, the representations presented by all parties, the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy², and the Section 182 Guidance issued under the Licensing Act 2003³.

The report pack outlined a number of options available to the sub-committee, including granting the licence with or without modified conditions, excluding licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor, or rejecting the application.

The report pack also included a copy of the premises licence application, The Inglenook's operational policy, a noise impact assessment, representations and planning comments, additional conditions following mediation with Durham Constabulary, the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Section 182 Guidance.