Pub landlord defends application to extend its hours for alcohol sales and playing music

Concerns had been raised with Durham County Council over proposals to extend the hours for alcohol sales from the Three Horseshoes, in Leamside.

But premises boss Daryl Frankland insisted the changes were intended to help the venue’s planned expansion into bed and breakfast rooms compete with other nearby offerings.

“We’re a public house, not an off licence as would imagine an off licence to be,” he said.

“We asked for an off licence because we will sell beer to be taken away by people, such as [caravaners or campers] who may have lunch and then want to take a couple of beers home.

“We’re also heavily into real ale, we’ve run the CAMRA North East Pub of the Year award, we’ve got our own microbrewery and we often get people asking if they can take our beer home.

“[But] we don’t sell slabs of lager and we don’t promote off sales.”

Mr Frankland, who also runs the Courtyard bar at Washington Arts Centre, was speaking at this afternoon’s (Tuesday, March 23) meeting of the county council’s Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

The pub already has a licence covering alcohol sales, music and late night food.

The latest application sought permission to begin recorded music from 7am, which Mr Frankland said was to help him ‘stay on the right side of the law’ by playing music or news broadcasts while guests have breakfast.

It also sought to extend alcohol sales by half an hour, from midnight to 12.30am – and 3.30am on New Year’s Day – to accommodate overnight guests.

However he also told the panel he would be prepared to accept an amendment which would mean the extension only applied on weekends.

No objections were submitted by police or fire services, but concerns were raised by West Rainton Parish Council.

Parish councillor Avril Wallage said some fears had been allayed by Mr Frankland, but doubts remained.

She added: “The hours seem very late for [an off licence] and the concern is once the licence is granted then, presumably, those activities could change in the future if they’re still within the parameters of what’s been granted.”

After hearing evidence the panel retired to debate in private, with a decision expected to be confirmed later.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.