Cowes Venue's Alcohol Licence Bid To Be Decided Amid Residents' Concerns
- Rufus Pickles
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
A bid by a popular Cowes wedding and events venue to secure a premises licence will be decided by Isle of Wight councillors next week.
An application for Commodores House, on Cowes High Street, is due to be considered by the Isle of Wight Council's licensing sub-committee at County Hall on Tuesday 16 June.
The venue is seeking permission to sell alcohol between 9am and 11pm each day.
Council officers have recommended the licence be granted, subject to conditions and any further amendments councillors consider necessary to promote licensing objectives.
The application has attracted a number of objections from local residents, who have raised concerns about potential noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, the movement of equipment and supplies, and public safety.
Questions have also been raised over evacuation arrangements, accessibility and facilities at the venue, although council officers note that disabled access issues are not matters covered by licensing legislation.
A report prepared ahead of the hearing says the licence would formalise activities that have taken place at Commodores House for many years, while introducing legally enforceable conditions and controls.
Since the application was first submitted, a number of proposed activities have been removed. Plans for regulated entertainment until 11.30pm and late-night refreshment have both been withdrawn.
If the licence is approved, the only licensable activity would be the sale of alcohol until 11pm. Any live music taking place would be covered by separate provisions under the Live Music Act 2012.
Several conditions have already been agreed with environmental health officers and police.
These include a requirement for a dispersal policy to encourage guests to leave quietly, signage reminding visitors they are in a residential area, restrictions on taking drinks outside after 10pm and the installation of a CCTV system.
The report also notes that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has recorded just one incident linked to the venue during the past three years.
Cowes Town Council has raised no objection to the application.
Councillors are expected to make a decision when the licensing sub-committee meets at County Hall from 10am on Tuesday 16 June.
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