Agenda item

To consider an application for a Premises Licence for Wellhorny’s, 33-37 Banks Street, Blackpool, FY1 2AR.

A. Application and representations submitted. To consider the attached report.

B. Determination of the application for a Premises Licence – Wellhorny’s.

The Licensing Panel will indicate how the decision is to be communicated to interested parties.

The Panel considered a new application for a Premises Licence for Wellhorny’s, 33 – 37 Banks Street FY1 2AR, the applicant Mr. Paul Richardson accompanied by his business partner Mr. Darren Yeomans, were in attendance before the Licensing Panel. The application requested recorded music indoors Monday to Sunday 00:00- 00:00, permission to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises Monday to Sunday 00.00 – 00.00, the provision of late night refreshment indoors Monday to Sunday 23.00 – 05.00. The Premises would only be open to the public Monday to Sunday 12:00 - 02:00

Mr. Yeomans spoke in support of the application by informing the panel that the proposed operation of the premises as an naturist private members’ club and guest house exclusively for gay and bisexual men with strict rules of entry for members of the public, the premises will have a doorbell entry system, a 24 hour cooling off period for new memberships, further to this all visitors’ details would be kept in a visitors’ log book and held separately on membership forms. The Panel were informed that the applicant had been working with the Police and a Lancashire Fire Service putting additional measures in place. No objections had been received from any of the responsible authorities.

Mr. Richardson informed the panel of their strict policy on noise, that music would not exceed 80 decibels, and additional notices had been placed requesting guests not staying at the guest house to leave quietly.

The Panel had questioned the applicant about provisions for privacy of the guests, Mr Yeomans explained to The Panel that there had been some work undertaken to create privacy at the back in the garden space, privacy screens and blinds had been installed to prevent people viewing inside the venue from the front, dressing gowns were provided for guests who wished to use the smoking area situated at the side of the premises.

Objection had been received from Mr. Iain Ferguson and Mr. Steven Taylor who were present before the Panel, an objection had also been received from Sarah Taylor who did not attend but whose written submission were considered in her absence.

Mr. Ferguson wished to object to the granting of the Premises Licence, stating that he felt the name of the business was inappropriate.

Mr. Taylor, a landlord who owned flats nearby to the proposed venue, he outlined his objection stating that the possible noise generated from the venue in the early hours of the morning could have disturbed local residents, despite reassurances from the applicant his concerns still remained.

The Panel considered carefully the evidence submitted by all parties but did not believe the objections given was sufficient enough to refuse the application, the concerns about disturbance from noise in the early hours of the morning, and privacy in the smoking area at the front were relevant considerations and should be taken into account.

The Panel therefore concluded that the designated smoking area to the side of the premises had to remain at all times screened off, no customer should be served any beverage unless they are a member, all windows must be closed from 23:00 until 08:00 and external doors are to be kept closed at all time, The Panel also recommended that the name “Wellhorny’s” be changed to help alleviate concerns shared by residents and The Panel.

Resolved:

That the application for a Premises Licence in respect of Wellhorny’s be granted subject to the conditions listed above.