main content Sovereign of Seas licensing appeal dismissed

The Sovereign of the Seas licensing appeal was dismissed at Bromley Magistrates Court yesterday. The court decision followed evidence from local residents about anti social behaviour connected with the public house in Petts Wood. The original decision of the Council’s Licensing Sub Committee was upheld. The pub was ordered to pay the Council’s legal costs of £832.

“This vindicates our original decision. I am pleased that the court found the evidence from residents so compelling. We assessed the original against our licensing objectives in what is obviously a very new area of law. The new law gives us powers to protect residents and others from nuisance and we will continue to carefully balance all the factors when deciding future licence applications” said Councillor Tony Owen, Chairman of the Council’s Licensing Committee.

The application for the premises licence for the Sovereign of the Seas public house in Queensway was heard last August. The licensed hours after the court hearing remain

• Sunday to Thursday 10.00 hours to 23.00 hours. 
• Friday to Saturday 10.00 hours to 23.30 hours. 
• Any day that is a bank holiday other than a bank holiday Monday and Christmas Eve, 10.00 hours to 23.30 hours.

The premises can remain open, for upto 30 minutes past the times above to allow for ‘drinking up’ time. In addition, there should be no admittance after 23.00 hours on any day. The Sovereign of the Seas appeal could have meant that the pub was open for upto an additional hour.

The Council’s licensing policy is based upon the consideration of 4 licensing objectives. These are to prevent crime and disorder: to protect public safety, to prevent public nuisance and protect children from harm. Appeals are required to address one or more of the 4 licensing objectives. Under the new legislation residents are also able to ask the Council to formally review a premises' licence.

The review can take place at any time after a licence comes into operation. Generally, time is required to collate substantial evidence against a failure to promote the 4 licensing objectives. The evidence would typically include a diary of events or incidents supported by other witness statements and a record of complaints made to responsible authorities such as the Police.

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

• In 2001, the Government announced plans to reform the country's licensing laws. The changes started to come into place on 7th February 2005, with the new regime finally taking over on Thursday 24th November 2005. It affects premises selling alcohol. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 or Paul Lehane, Licensing Team Leader on 020 8313 4216 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk