Agenda item

An application has been made for a new premises licence for Tumblers Cocktail and Wine Bar, 1 Mustons Lane, Shaftesbury, SP7 8AD. The application has been out to public consultation. Representations have been received. A Licensing Sub-Committee must therefore consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Licensing Team Leader outlined the application which was for the sale of alcohol Monday to Sunday noon to 11pm (on and off the premises), live music (indoors and outdoors) Thursday and Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday noon to 10pm and recorded music (indoors) Monday to Sunday noon to 11pm. She explained that the applicant had already been operating from the rear of the San Tonino restaurant under the authority of a premises licence held by another person. During that period the Licensing Authority had received complaints relating to noise, primarily relating to the outside patio area. The Licensing Team Leader stated that the current premises licence was for on sales only and did not cover the patio within the licensed area.

Ms Francis advised that she had worked in the licensed trade in Shaftesbury for approximately 12 years. She had previously run premises in the town known as Angola 76 but had experienced issues with planning and licensing relating to noise complaints. Angola 76 closed in 2021 and later re-opened as Mustons operating to 11pm, but she had not been able to use the outside area, so she closed the business and worked elsewhere.  Following a period away from the industry,[LA1]  she opened Tumblers behind San Tonino restaurant.

She explained that the premises operated as a small cocktail bar with no loud music and alcohol sales ending at 11.00pm. She considered complaints about the premises to be linked to her previous involvement with Angola 76 and referred to a letter circulated shortly after opening encouraging residents to report concerns to the Council.

Ms Francis stated that noise complaints related primarily to activity within the public car park behind the premises rather than the operation of Tumblers itself. She noted that the letter raising concerns about noise, anti-social behaviour and disturbance had been circulated when the premises had only been trading for around one week.

Questions from the Sub-Committee

Members sought clarification on:

• Mr Davey's experience within the hospitality industry.
• The trading history of the premises and whether complaints had been made directly to the Applicant.
• The capacity of the premises.
• Management of the outside area if licensed.
• Awareness of licence conditions.
• Whether complaints related to the premises or activity within the car park.
• The number of complaints received by Environmental Health.

Mr Davey advised that he had a background in security and licensed premises management. He confirmed that the premises was busiest between 10.00pm and 11.00pm and that the outside area was separate from neighbouring businesses.

Ms Francis advised that the premises had traded since August 2025, with only one complaint received directly. The premises had a maximum capacity of 50, including the outside area. She confirmed awareness of licensing requirements and explained that the premises served light refreshments, permitted takeaway food to be consumed on site, and operated independently from the neighbouring restaurant.

The Environmental Protection Team Leader referred Members to his written representation, raising concerns about potential public nuisance from noise, particularly from the proposed use of the outside area. It was reported that 12 complaints had been received across Environmental Health, Licensing and Dorset Police, with one complaint made directly to Environmental Health.

Ms Francis stated that the premises was willing to implement reasonable measures to minimise disturbance and maintained that most complaints related to activity in the public car park rather than the premises.

The Police Licensing Officer advised that mediation had resulted in agreed conditions, but concerns remained regarding anti-social behaviour and noise. Police reported 13 incidents in and around the car park since the premises opened, including dangerous driving, vehicle donuts, fighting, shouting, public urination and general disturbance. While not all incidents could be linked directly to the premises, Police considered there to be a correlation with its opening.

In response, Ms Francis and Mr Davey stated that many incidents involved the public car park rather than customers of the premises and advised that staff regularly asked individuals causing disturbance to leave. Ms Francis added that the premises operated as a community-focused cocktail bar, attracted a broad customer base, and was willing to engage with residents to address concerns. She also suggested that increased activity may have coincided with the town fair.

The Police maintained that the increase in anti-social behaviour could not be attributed solely to the fair and noted concerns from residents about approaching the Applicant directly. Police further advised that some anti-social behaviour appeared to be associated with people leaving the premises.

All parties were given the opportunity to have their say and sum up.  

Decision: To REFUSE the premises licence application.