North Yorkshire Council
Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee
30 January 2026
Application to vary a Premises Licence – The Drunken Piglet
Report of the Corporate Director – Environment
1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 The purpose of this report is to determine a premises licence application under the Licensing Act 2003.
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 An application for the variation of a premises licence has been made by Cold Bath Bakehouse Limited, 38 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA. A copy of the application and associated plan is attached at appendix 1.
2.2 The applicant is Joanna McMurdo, The Drunken Piglet, 38 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA.
2.3 A plan of the site and vicinity are attached at appendix 2.
2.4 The premises is described as a wine bar and small plates restaurant in Harrogate, specializing in locally sourced produce, fresh flavours, and a warm community atmosphere.
2.5 The current premises licence authorises the following licensable activities:
Monday to Sunday 0800hrs until 2200hrs
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 0800hrs until 2200hrs
2.6 The current premises licence is attached at appendix 3.
2.7 The variation application seeks to extend the hours to the following:
Retail sale of alcohol
Monday to Sunday 0800hrs until 0000hrs
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 0800hrs until 0000hrs
Season variation New Years Eve 0200hrs close.
2.8 Following consultation with North Yorkshire Councils Environmental Protection Team the applicant agreed to the following reduction in hours:
Retail sale of alcohol
Monday to Sunday 0800hrs until 2300hrs
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 0800hrs until 2300hrs
Season variation New Years Eve 0200hrs close
3.0 PROMOTION OF LICENSING OBJECTIVES
3.1 Section 4 of the Licensing Act 2003 places a duty on the Licensing Authority to carry out its functions under the Act with a view to promoting the licensing objectives. The licensing objectives are:
· The prevention of crime and disorder
· Public Safety
· The prevention of public nuisance
· The protection of children from harm
3.2 Each objective is of equal importance. It is important to note that there are no other licensing objectives, so that these four objectives are always paramount considerations.
4.0 REPRESENTATIONS
4.1 A representation had been received from North Yorkshire Councils Environmental Protection Team on the objective of the prevention of public nuisance. The representation is attached at appendix 4.
4.2 The applicant accepted the Environmental Protection representation and agreed to the reduced hours (see section 2.7 above) along with all the proposed conditions. As a result, the representation was withdrawn. The related correspondence is provided at Appendix 5.
4.3 The applicant liaised with North Yorkshire Police and agreed to an additional condition which will form part of any granted licence. This correspondence is attached at appendix 6.
4.4 One representation was received from an interested party on 18 December 2025, with additional information submitted by the same individual on 02 January 2026. This material is provided at Appendix 7.
5.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
5.1 Not applicable.
6.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
6.1 Not applicable.
7.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
7.1 As a relevant representation has been received the Licensing Sub-Committee must hold a hearing to determine the application.
7.2 The Licensing Sub-Committee must have regard to the promotion of the four licensing objectives in exercising its functions under the Licensing Act 2003.
7.3 The Licensing Sub-Committee must also have regard to the statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Act and the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy when exercising its functions under the Act.
7.4 In accordance with Schedule 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 the applicant, and any person who has made a relevant representation, may appeal against any decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee.
7.5 Any appeal against a decision by the Licensing Sub-Committee must be made to the Magistrates Court within the period of 21 days beginning on the day on which an appellant is notified by the Licensing Authority of that decision.
8.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
8.1 Not applicable
9.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS
9.1 Not applicable
10.0 POLICY IMPLICATIONS
10.1 The following sections of North Yorkshire Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy are relevant in considering the licensing objectives in relation to this application:
· Disturbance and environment – section 50
· Crime and disorder – section 33
· Public Safety – section 44
· Protection of children – section 53
10.2 Other considerations
The following sections of the guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (updated November 2025) issued by the Home Office are relevant in considering the licensing objectives in relation to this application:
· Crime and disorder – section 2.1
· Public safety – section 2.8
· Public nuisance – section 2.21
· Protection of children from harm – section 2.28
10.3 A recent update to the Section 182 Guidance has been added to help ensure that, when determining licence applications and considering any conditions that may apply, Licensing Authorities have in mind the need to support the development of a thriving hospitality sector while still upholding the existing statutory licensing objectives.
10.4 Section 1.18 of the guidance states that when making licensing decisions, all licensing authorities should consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits.
10.5 Appendix 8 contains the mandatory conditions which will be applied to all licences in addition to any conditions agreed by the Licensing Sub-Committee.
11.0 HUMAN RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS
11.1 Not applicable
12.0 CONCLUSIONS
12.1 An application has been made for the variation of a premises licence for The Drunken Piglet, 38 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NA. by Joanna McMurdo of the same address. The reduction in hours, as well as conditions agreed with North Yorkshire Police and Environmental Protection, will form part of the licence as well as any conditions imposed by the Licensing Sub-Committee.
12.2 The Licensing Sub-Committee must, having had regard to the application and any relevant representations, take such steps (if any) it considers appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.
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13.0 |
OPTIONS
To take any of the following steps as the Licensing Sub-Committee considers appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives:
i) Grant the licence as applied for (subject to the reduction in hours and added conditions as agreed with North Yorkshire Police and Environmental Protection). ii) To grant the licence with conditions. iii) To reject the application in whole or part.
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APPENDICES:
Appendix 1 - Copy of the application and plan.
Appendix 2 - Vicinity plan.
Appendix 3 - Current premises licence
Appendix 4 - Representation from Environmental Protection
Appendix 5 - Agreement and withdrawal of Environmental Protection representation
Appendix 6 - Agreement to condition proposed by North Yorkshire Police
Appendix 7 - Representation from Marlene Kofman
Appendix 8 - Mandatory conditions
Karl Battersby
Corporate Director – Environment
County Hall
Northallerton
05 January 2026
Report Author – Wan Malachi, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer
Presenter of Report – Wan Malachi, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer
Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.