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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED That the application for a variation to the premises licence be approved subject to the conditions outlined above in the decision.
There were no declarations of interest made.
Moved by Councillor Tony Wilcox; Seconded by Councillor Mark Carter. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2025 be approved as a correct record in both English and Welsh.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the application for a variation to the premises licence be approved subject to the conditions outlined above in the decision.
Prior to outlining the procedure guidelines for the meeting, the Solicitor noted an error in the Chair’s introduction of the meeting which needed amending. In respect of Item 1, Non-committee Members attending with Chair’s consent, Councillor Jonathan Grimes was introduced for that item; however, it was pointed out that he attended the meeting as a person who had made representations on the application and was therefore not attending with the Chair’s consent as previously stated, as it was not required. The Solicitor outlined the procedure to be followed including the options available for the Sub-Committee Members to decide on the application. The Lead Licensing Officer gave a summarised introduction to the variation application for the premises licence, including details on the proposed changes of hours for the selling of alcohol and opening hours as outlined in the report. The Officer highlighted the various representations that had been made in respect of the application from Pollution Control, Dyfed-Powys Police, Councillor Jonathan Grimes, a person objecting to the application as well as six other persons in support of it. The Officer also advised that the applicant has already given Temporary Event Notices since July 2024 with the most recent event being the weekend before the meeting. The Chair began the debate by asking about the Applicant’s support from customers and how long they are typically at the venue, to which the Applicant replied that they receive many customers who on average wait 5-10 minutes for their food and typically leave the site to return to their cars. The applicant gave an approximate figure of 90% of customers arrive at the site via car and then leave once served. The Chair then asked the applicant to describe how drinks are sold at the venue. The applicant explained that alcoholic beverages are served in plastic containers with no glass containers issued from the hatch. The Applicant stated that he considers open containers safer than the use of tin cans or glass bottles, therefore only open plastic containers are sold. Councillor Tim Evans in response to that answer asked whether people who purchase the drinks therefore drive off with these containers, to which the Applicant replied and said some customers do but he could not be sure as to the number. The Chair raised the concern of anti-social behaviour and how arguments or confrontations are handled on the site to which the applicant responded that he asks them to leave personally as they do not have a doorman or staff dedicated to monitoring outdoor surveillance. Councillor Mark Carter reiterated the concern of anti-social behaviour and advised that outdoor supervision for drunk customers should be in place. He stated he would like to see a commitment to having outdoor staff/doormen, one of the four key licencing objectives being public safety. He concluded his comment by adding that the variation application could not come at the expense of public safety. He added that two staff outside would greatly improve the safety concerns as the Applicant cannot be expected to handle outside behaviour while also managing inside the venue. The Applicant responded that other venues operate without a dedicated doorman, or deal with crowds outside their venues with minimal staff. He made reference to similar businesses operating without a doorman. The Applicant explained how most of their business is in the form of takeaway and deliveries, which is the purpose behind the application for a varied licence. With the variation they would be able to offer later hours for food delivery as they currently have their business featured on four takeaway apps. Councillor Evans than asked how many CCTV cameras are installed on the property, the Applicant responding that there are currently six. Councillor Evans raised the issue again of anti-social behaviour, inquiring of the Applicant if any instances of that behaviour had been made known to him on the property while the Temporary Events had taken place. The Applicant said there had been none raised to him. Councillor Evans then asked the same question to the Dyfed-Powys Police Licensing Officer, who confirmed that no reports of anti-social behaviour had been made during those times. Councillor Carter inquired how many of the Temporary Events had been used to their full extent, the Applicant confirming that the Events had taken place for the full hours notified, with the premises closing at 3:30am the previous Saturday with no issues. He then went on to describe the pattern of customers being roughly five at a time who would wait for their food and then leave once it had been prepared, to then be replaced by another group in roughly twenty-minute bursts. There was reportedly never an influx of customers at one time and once customers had been served they took their food away from the venue and to their vehicles, with most of their sales being food and not alcohol. Councillor Evans raised the issue of litter in the area which the Applicant clarified is dealt with at the end of the night with the employees doing a collection of litter in the immediate area. There are also two bins on the premises. At this juncture, Councillor Jonathan Grimes was invited to speak as he had made representations in objection of the application for a varied licence. Councillor Grimes highlighted that his main concern is public safety and anti-social behaviour, referring to his work with local neighbourhood police across Pembroke and not just specifically on the Commons. Councillor Grimes explained that he supports local businesses and wishes the Applicant and the premises success but the requested hours to sell alcohol was causing concern for himself and local residents who had contacted him but had not made representations to speak at the meeting. His concern was that customers at the premises may take their drinks and wander to other areas at 5am potentially causing anti-social behaviour. While he acknowledged that there had been no reports of such behaviour at the premises he felt the late hour combined with the open container issue would potentially create issues in the future. A question was raised in reference to the Ascona Green Garage Service Station from Councillor Grimes as to whether there had been any reported incidents of anti-social behaviour at the site. The Dyfed-Powys Police Licensing Officer responded and used this time to pick up on a previous point raised by the Applicant. He corrected the information given regarding Pizza Time in Haverfordwest stating that they have a doorperson on duty from midnight until close outside which has successfully deterred anti-social behaviour. At the Ascona Garage in Pembroke from 10pm the entrance is locked and transactions, including the sale of alcohol, are done through the hatch. He did note, however, that the business and site differ in that there is 24-hour fuel sold and the site is illuminated, that there is an elaborate panic alarm system in place and there is more than one member of staff on site due to the integrated Greggs bakery also within the premises during the early hours of the morning. In response to the congregation of people after purchasing alcohol there are plans in place to alter the fencing around the property. The Dyfed-Powys Police Licensing Officer also pointed out the frequent attendance of police at the garage who stop to refuel. Similarly, Castle Square in Haverfordwest also sees a steady flow of police traffic travelling through the High Street. Councillor Grimes picked up on the point about the lighting at the Ascona Garage to make a note of how dark The Commons area is due to it being a wooded area which is not often patrolled by the police. The Chair then stated he had received a statement from Councillor Aaron Carey; however, the Solicitor intervened and informed the Committee that Councillor Carey’s statement could not be considered due to it not having been made as a representation by submitting it to the Licensing Team within the 28 day period required. Pollution Control then gave their representations noting that the selling of alcohol does contribute to a rise in noise level. Due to this variation of premises licence application being for a new type for a business in the town they will need to monitor the situation but did not believe that the current control measures in place to deal with public nuisance are adequate. Councillor Evans asked whether there were any reports in Pembroke regarding “boy racers”, comparing it to a situation in Haverfordwest where young drivers congregate in an area and then move to another once anti-social measures have been put in place, to which the Dyfed-Powys Police Licensing Officer responded that the closest site with that issue would be McDonald’s carpark in Pembroke Dock. Councillor Carter queried whether they could make variations to the application on the times the alcohol could be sold through the delivery service while having differing times for the sale of alcohol through the hatch, potentially negating the issue of anti-social behaviour. The Lead Licensing Officer confirmed this would be possible and suggested as an example that the Sub-Committee could regulate the sale of alcohol to delivery only after a certain time in the evening. The Applicant was asked to summarise their application but stated they had nothing further to add. The Sub-Committee then retired to undertake its consideration of the representations submitted. The webcast was paused at 10:49am. The Sub-Committee then resumed, the webcast going live at 12:02pm with the Chair announcing the decision. DECISION The Sub-Committee is tasked with deciding whether to vary the premises licence under section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003. Its remit includes allowing the application to vary in full, rejecting the application, or allowing the application in part. In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee has considered the relevant parts of the Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the statutory guidance, together with all four of the Licensing Objectives. The Sub-Committee has considered this application on its merits and has carefully considered the written and spoken representations made, both in support of and against the application. The Sub-Committee heard from the Applicant as to the reasons behind the application. The Sub-Committee considers that this addresses all the issues raised by the persons who have made representations. The Sub-Committee at the same time recognises and understands the concerns of the objectors which includes the two Responsible Authorities that have made representations. On balance, the Sub-Committee considers that there is validity in the objections and that if the application to vary was allowed in full there would be a negative impact on the promotion of the Licensing Objectives. The Sub-Committee considers that the conditioning of the application takes into account the concerns. The Sub-Committee is satisfied on balance that that the application as varied by the Sub-Committee promotes the licensing objectives and as such can be granted as detailed. The grant of the application for variation is allowed in part, limited to the conditions and hours as to be set out. The application as modified is therefore granted. The Conditions are: • That on Friday and Saturday nights the premises can supply alcohol until 2am; • That on Friday and Saturday nights the premises can supply late night refreshment until 4am; • That on Friday and Saturday nights from midnight there will be a SIA registered doorperson outside the premises until 4am; • Supply of alcohol through the hatch at the premises after midnight will be in sealed cans or bottles. Subject to the additional conditions being imposed, on balance the Sub-Committee considers that the application as made comprehensively promotes the licensing objectives and the application can be granted. RESOLVED That the application for a variation to the premises licence be approved subject to the conditions outlined above in the decision.
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