a living community

09/08646

Application for Off-sales Licence between

10:00 to 22:00

Festival Stores Limited
70 - 72 Grassmarket
Edinburgh EH1 2JR
 
Decision: 22 June 2009

We are currently not aware of what decision was made.

Current Licensing Issues:

Residents of Portsburgh Square have been complaining for some time about the level of noise and disturbance emanating from the Grassmarket Bar in the West Port.

They have recently organised a petition which so far has been signed by 18 residents, as follows:

We, the undersigned, are objecting to the following:

1. Excessive noise levels emanating form the premises, particularly when external doors are left open. This can go on until 1 a.m.

2. Patrons allowed to drink in the street, causing an obstruction to a narrow pavement. It is often intimidating to try to pass them and dangerous due to volumes of traffic on the road.

3. Public urination in the immediate proximity, particularly Portsburgh Square and the steps at Lady Wynd.

4. The amount of broken glass, vomit and occasionally blood, in the immediate vicinity
Individual local residents who have complained directly to the pub staff have been unsuccessful in achieving any change. Subsequent communications with relevant agencies, i.e. Police, Environmental Health (Noise), have been met with limited and inconsistent response.

We are therefore requesting that the licensing board review the current licence with a view to curtailing opening hours.

This petition was submitted to the Licensing Board at the end of June 2009.

There has been no response to date!

Licensing Enquiries:

Clerk of the Licensing Board
343 High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1PW

Tel 0131 529 4210
Fax 0131 529 4207

Office hours
Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Friday 8.30am – 3.00pm

Making an Objection

Who can object?

The following people and organisations can  object to a licence application.

• Owners and occupiers of properties in the neighbourhood
• Resident’s Associations

How to write an objection

When you wish to object to a licensing application, you must write to the Clerk of the Licensing Board.

For new licences your objection must be based on Section 17 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.

You must say in your letter which one or more of these categories is relevant.
• The applicant is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence – Section 17 (1) (a)
• The premises are not suitable for the sale of alcohol because of the location, character, condition, proposed use or possible clientele – Section 17 (1) (b)
• The sale of alcohol is likely to cause undue public nuisance or a threat to public order or safety – Section 17 (1) (c)
• There are enough licensed premises in the area already – Section 17 (1) (d).

Include as many details as possible in your letter of objection. You must state which of the reasons for refusal listed above applies, and include evidence if possible. For example, if you are objecting because there are enough licensed premises then list all nearby premises; if you want to say that there is already too much late-night noise and disturbance, give examples of times when you have been
disturbed.

Remember to sign your letter of objection and give your address – anonymous letters cannot be considered.