Sawbridgeworth Town Council sends letter objecting to licensing application to East Herts Council for new live venue at former Barclays Bank branch in Knight Street
Town councillors have objected to a licensing application for a proposed new live entertainment venue and say the applicant’s lack of transparency and accountability raise doubts on their ability to operate the premises responsibly.
Sawbridgeworth Town Council’s planning committee has submitted a detailed letter of objection to licensing authority East Herts Council (EHC) against a premises licensing application for the venue at 28 Knight Street, the former Barclays Bank branch.
Concerns raised in the letter, signed by planning committee chair Cllr Nathan Parsad-Wyatt, cover prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm, and urges EHC to impose restrictions should the application be granted.
The restrictions suggested by the committee include on operating hours, the outdoor seating area and noise.
The letter also highlighted the need to bring in measures to aid management of traffic and parking, along with waste and litter and to require the applicant to “establish regular community contact to meet with residents and discuss any ongoing issues”.
The planning committee wants restrictions on the number of events and the applicant to employ SIA-registered security staff at all events; implement ID checking software to prevent under-age alcohol sales; implement a venue capacity limit to prevent overcrowding and ensure licensing conditions align with those of neighbouring venues, such as the Queen’s Head next door.
In conclusion, the letter states that operation of the venue “poses significant risks to crime levels, public safety and residential wellbeing” and warns East Herts Council that if the application was imposed without imposing the restrictions it suggests, it will be failing in its duty under the Licensing Act 2003 to prevent public nuisance and protect public safety.
