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The Chair explained that the Applicant and Objector were not present as they had reached a compromise and the objection had been withdrawn.
The Legal Adviser clarified the procedure. The Chair sought confirmation that all parties had received the agenda and report for the meeting. The Applicant did not wish to withdraw their application and no additional information had been provided.
The Licensing Officer explained that the Objector sent a letter to the Applicant proposing a compromise on the timings. Unfortunately the Applicant only received this yesterday and responded to the Licensing Officer last night. They agreed to the new timings and the Licensing Officer had corresponded with the Applicant and Objector today resulting in the objection being withdrawn.
However, as it was withdrawn less than 24 hours before the hearing was scheduled to take place the hearing still had to go ahead today. The panel was asked to consider the amended timings.
The Licensing Officer read out a statement from the Applicant.
The Sub-Committee was asked to consider the Licensing Act 2003, guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Human Rights Act 1998 when reaching their decision.
The application was for a variation to an existing Premises Licence. The application sought to add plays, films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance and anything of a similar description, and increase of hours for supply of alcohol.
The new proposed times were:
1. Monday to Thursday licensing hours to 23.00 hours
2. Friday and Saturday licensing hours to 23.30 hours
3. Sunday licensing hours to 22.30
The Sub-Committee adjourned to consider their decision.
Decision Notice
Ms Sarah Jane Park (the applicant) has applied for a variation to the existing premises licence at the Socialbar, 15 High Street Saxmundham Suffolk IP17 1DF. The application seeks to add plays, films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance and anything of a similar description, as well as increase the hours for supply of alcohol.
This Sub-Committee was held as one representation against the application was received from other persons. There were no representations received from any Responsible Authorities. The grounds for objection were that there was no other licenced premises on the High Street with late hours, there are many residential properties located close to the premises and an increase in the licensable hours has the potential to cause disturbance to the residents.
The Sub-Committee first heard from the Licensing Officer, who summarised the report. The Licensing Officer confirmed that they had not received any complaints about the premises.
The Applicant and Objector agreed terms prior to the hearing. Therefore, neither the Applicant nor Objector were present at the hearing.
The decision of the Sub-Committee
The Sub-Committee, having considered the application, the Licensing Officer’s report and the representations received from the applicant and the objector has decided to grant the application:
Licensable Activities
1. Monday to Thursday 08:00 - 23.00
Supply of Alcohol (on and off premises), Plays – Indoors, Films – Indoors, Live Music – Indoors, Recorded Music – Indoors, Performance of dance – Indoors, Anything of a similar description – Indoors
2. Friday and Saturday 08:00 - 23.30
Supply of Alcohol (on and off premises), Plays – Indoors, Films – Indoors, Live Music – Indoors, Recorded Music – Indoors, Performance of dance – Indoors, Anything of a similar description – Indoors, Late night refreshments on sales – Indoors.
3. Sunday 08:00 - 22.30 hours
Supply of Alcohol (on and off premises), (Plays – Indoors, Films – Indoors, Live Music – Indoors, Recorded Music – Indoors, Performance of dance – Indoors, Anything of a similar description – Indoors.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday
08:00 - 23.30 hours
Reasons for decision
In arriving at this decision, the Sub-Committee has taken into consideration the representations of both the applicant and the objector as well as the Licensing Officer’s report. The Sub-Committee also considered the Council’s own licensing guidance and statement of licensing policy, as well as the Statutory Section 182 guidance, and Human Rights Act 1998.
The Sub-Committee notes under paragraph 9.12 of the Statutory Guidance that the responsible authorities are experts in their respective fields. The Sub-Committee took great weight in making its decision upon the lack of responses from responsible authorities, most notably Environmental Protection and the Police as they are the main sources of information on prevention of public nuisance.
The Sub-Committee considered the Council’s own guidance in relation to licensing objectives and that each licence should be considered on individual merit. Additionally, 6.1 of the Council’s Policy states that the Sub-Committee should not seek to restrict the trading hours of any particular premises unless it is considered appropriate to promote one or more of the licensing objectives. As the applicant has previous experience of running a licensed premises the Sub-Committee is confident that the applicant is capable of promoting the licensing objectives.
The Sub-Committee acknowledged the representation from the objector whose key concern was that an extension of the licensable hours could potentially cause a disturbance to nearby residents. However, the Sub-Committee notes that the objector and applicant were able to agree terms prior to the hearing for a reduction of the licensable hours. The sole objector is satisfied with the new terms and the Sub-Committee is also in agreement.
The Sub-Committee believes that the Applicant has exhibited that they can promote the licensing objectives whilst holding their licence and is confident that the Applicant will continue promoting the licensing objectives, therefore the variation application is granted.
The licence holder or anyone who has made a representation has the right to appeal to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of receiving notice of this decision.??
Date: 5 February 2026