Agenda item

Two standard temporary event notices have been received under the Licensing Act 2003 for Bar 1 and Bar 2, Yeovil Showground, Two Tower Lane, Yeovil, BA22 9TA. They relate to an event taking place from 5 May 2023 to 7 May 2023. Objection notices have been duly served on behalf of the Chief of Police for Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

The Licensing Sub-Committee hearing held on Friday 28 April 2023 in respect of two Temporary Event Notices under the Licensing Act 2003 for Bar 1 and Bar 2, Yeovil Showground, Two Towers Lane, Barwick, Yeovil, BA22 9TA, resolved to permit the event to proceed in accordance with the temporary event notices.

The Sub-Committee noted the objections raised by the Police in respect of the event and their concerns of public safety and crime and disorder. However, the Sub-Committee listened to the assurances of the applicant and were satisfied that the applicant understood the risks that were involved and they were content that sufficient measures would be in place to meet the licensing objectives as contained in the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Guidelines as well as South Somerset District Council’s Licensing Policy.

The Licensing Sub-Committee approved the two applications for the temporary event notices.

All parties were reminded that there is a right of appeal against the decision of the Licensing Authority. Such an appeal is to be made within 21 days of the date of receipt of the formal Notice.

The Licensing Specialist introduced her report in respect of two Temporary Event Notices under the Licensing Act 2003 for Bar 1 and Bar 2, Yeovil Showground, Two Towers Lane, Barwick, Yeovil, BA22 9TA

Inspector R Clarke of Avon and Somerset Police advised they did not routinely object to Temporary Event Notices but having considered the application they did not consider it would promote the 4 licensing objectives. She referred to the objection statement in the Agenda papers which detailed the police’s concerns and she noted that:

Mr J Dunkley, Solicitor for the applicant, advised that Mr Williams and Barnova were experienced event operators who operated around 70 events per year.  He confirmed that:-

The Legal Specialist confirmed that conditions could be attached to a premises license but they could not be attached to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).

Mr Williams, the applicant, advised that he had held a personal license for over 25 years and had been operating Barnova for 6 years.  They had operated at 80 events the previous year and had 50 planned for the current year.  He also advised:-

·         They employed regular experienced staff of which 4 to 6 were personal license holders.

·         Barriers at the event would control the maximum allowed in each bar area to 499 with click devices to count people in and out.

·         They could look at providing higher fencing to the rear of the bar area.

·         They had drug and alcohol policies in place.

The event organiser advised that they arranged around 70 events per year world-wide and he listed some of those arranged by them.  He noted that they had the option to use the site’s existing premises license or they could allow visitors to bring their own alcohol, but he felt the TEN application for the provision of alcohol was the most appropriate way forward.

In response to questions from the police representatives and committee members, the event organiser confirmed that:

·         the marquee would only house the drink serving area and once the marquee was erected and bar area installed he would undertake a further fire risk assessment which could reduce the capacity of the bar area to possibly 300 for safety reasons.  

·         There would be signage at the entrance to advise the public that no alcohol would be allowed outside the fenced bar area. 

·         The event had sold 2,000 tickets for the Friday, 6,000 for the Saturday and 3,500 for the Sunday.

·         There would be 60 to 80 Security Industry Authority (SIA) trained staff at the site at all times.

The Solicitor for the applicant concluded that the police concerns were for the overall event and not particularly for the TENs applications.  He assured the committee that all necessary papers and safety planning was in place.

All parties confirmed that they were satisfied with the conduct of the hearing.

Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee, the Specialist - Legal and the Specialist - Democratic Services, attending in an advisory capacity only, remained in the meeting and all other officers and applicants withdrew to allow the members of the Sub-Committee to consider their decision in private.

Members of the Sub-Committee considered their decision in private session and were mindful of the advice given to them by the Legal Specialist.

On reconvening, the Chairman informed those present at the hearing of the decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee:

RESOLVED:

The Licensing Sub-Committee hearing held on Friday 28 April 2023 in respect of two Temporary Event Notices under the Licensing Act  2003 for Bar 1 and Bar 2, Yeovil Showground, Two Towers Lane, Barwick, Yeovil,  BA22 9TA, resolved to PERMIT the event to proceed in accordance with the temporary event notices.

The Sub-Committee noted the objections raised by the Police in respect of the event and their concerns of public safety and crime and disorder. However, the Sub-Committee listened to the assurances of the applicant and were satisfied that the applicant understood the risks that were involved  and they were content that sufficient measures would be in place to meet the  licensing objectives contained in the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Guidelines as well as South Somerset District Council’s Licensing Policy.

The Licensing Sub-Committee APPROVED the two applications for the temporary event notices under the Licensing Act  2003 for Bar 1 and Bar 2, Yeovil Showground, Two Towers Lane, Barwick, Yeovil,  BA22 9TA

All parties were reminded that there is a right of appeal against the decision of the Licensing Authority. Such an appeal is to be made within 21 days of the date of receipt of the formal Notice.