Licence approved for bistro at Northumberland riding centre

The licence, which allows the sale of alcohol on and off the premises between 11am and 11pm, seven days a week, is for Paddock Hall equestrian centre, on the A196 between Morpeth and Guidepost.

The application had to be decided by a Northumberland County Council licensing hearing, as two objections (from one property) had been lodged.

However, the sub-committee of three councillors concluded that it had ‘heard no evidence that the premises would be operated in such a way that would undermine any of the licensing objectives’.

Christopher Grunert, the solicitor representing the applicant Una Young, said that this was not a major licence bid, but a ‘modestly-sized bistro/wine bar at an equestrian centre’.

He explained that Ms Young had made the application on her own at first and went for flexibility, but was happy to reduce the scope following advice, to ‘walk before she runs’.

However, the report to councillors did note: ‘The applicant has withdrawn any request for regulated entertainment and is therefore no longer being applied for. However, under the Live Music Act 2015, premises that supply the sale of alcohol can provide regulated entertainment between the hours of 8am and 11pm without the need to apply for a licence.’

Mr Grunert continued: “We at no stage are asking the councillors to give my client a licence to cause nuisance.

“If you grant a licence, it’s on the basis that the public nuisance objective, as an example, will be promoted at all times, and there are checks and balances in the system if that’s not the case.”

Neighbour Angela Maher presented extensive objections on behalf of herself, her husband and his support team, as well as concerns which she said could impact on users of the site.

Her main issues related to public nuisance, noise and ‘some aspects of safety’, although she welcomed the clarification that the consumption of alcohol from on and off sales would be restricted to specific areas, the installation of planters to provide ‘clear segregation of vehicles’ and the provision of CCTV.

She added: “A simple and good principle for many aspects of life is to do the right thing at the right time. If you are minded to grant the licence, take the advice of the environmental health officer to make noise inaudible at the nearest property.”

In his summing-up, Mr Grunert said: “Without being rude, the applicant does not accept that Mrs Maher is an expert in public nuisance, the expert here is the environmental health officer who has proposed conditions and in their view, that addresses the issues.

“There’s a business already going on at the premises, there are people riding horses, excited children laughing, the normal case of a working property such as that and this application is not going to add to that.”

The decision notice stated: ‘The sub-committee is of the view that the applicant is taking all reasonable and appropriate steps to promote the licensing objectives, and this is supported by the imposition of additional conditions agreed with Northumbria Police and environmental health.

‘The sub-committee has imposed an additional condition relating to CCTV following representations by the applicant that CCTV is to be installed at the premises and believes that this is necessary and proportionate to support all parties regarding the operation of the premises.’

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