Issue - meetings

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee of the Councils Statutory Licensing Committee were asked to consider an application for a variation of a premise licence for The Keys – 65-67 High Street, Yarm, Stockton-On-Tees, to which there had been representations from Responsible Authorities and Local Ward Councillor, representing residents

The Chair introduced all persons who were present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

A copy of the report and supporting documents had been provided to all persons present and to Members of the Committee.

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee considered the above variation application, full details of which appeared before Members in their committee papers.

The Sub-Committee noted that the application was for the variation of a premises licence as detailed in the application appended to the Sub-Committee report, in summary:-

1. to vary the conditions relating to door staff;

2. to extend the finishing time by one hour for an additional four times per year (an increase from eight to twelve times per year) and;

3. to extend the operational time by one hour when British Summer Time starts.

The Committee heard that there had been no objections relating to the first and the third requested variations.

The Applicant Ms Powell explained to the Sub-Committee that the premises was rarely opened as a night club now; the last time they did this was on 5th May 2024, for the bank holiday weekend. The Sub-Committee heard from the Applicant that The Keys used to have the monopoly in Yarm, however there were now other premises that were also open until 2:00am.

Ms Powell told the Sub-Committee that the current premises licence allowed them to extend their finishing time by one hour, eight times per year, on a Friday or Saturday (the premises must give 14 days’ notice of this to the licensing authority). Ms Powell therefore confirmed to the Sub-Committee that the variation application was to increase the number of times per year that the premises can do this, from eight to twelve times per year.

The Sub-Committee heard from Ms Powell that last year, each of the eight extended finishing times were utilised in December for events such as well-known DJ sets, giving The Keys an opportunity to compete with other premises and attract customers.

Assistant General Manager & Designated Premises Supervisor, Mr Taylor advised the Sub-Committee that the night club landscape had changed; custom was decreasing as additional premises nearby now opened later, leaving The Keys at a commercial disadvantage. The reason therefore for the variation request to increase the number of times per year that the premises could extend their finishing time was to allow more high profile events to take place, giving The Keys an opportunity to compete with other premises.

With regard to a suggestion that there were noise issues alleged at the weekend around the 10th June 2024, the Sub-Committee heard from Ms Powell that the premises had not been opened as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13