The Whitehouse Farm Centre in Morpeth, a family-friendly visitor park and farm in Northumberland, has been granted a permanent licence to serve alcohol despite objections to the plans.
The licence allows alcohol to be served from 10 am to 5 pm every day, along with a recorded music licence for the same hours. However, the site owner told councillors that this does not mean the site will consistently serve alcohol.
Christmas events and private bookings
Site owner Heather Hogarty told Northumberland Council's licensing committee that the permit would allow her to offer a limited range of drinks during Christmas and at pre-booked ticketed events, such as afternoon teas. Previously, the farm had used one-off licences to cater for larger-scale Christmas events.
The application generated four objections, citing concerns over noise, public nuisance, and crime and disorder. The committee ultimately found "no substantive evidence" to suggest that granting the application would pose a detriment to the area.
Owner reassures committee
Speaking to the committee, Heather Hogarty said: "I would like to say we are a family-run business; we have been operating in the way that we do since 1997, so coming up in May that means we've been operating for 30 years.
"We are a well-run establishment; I am very proud of what we do. There is no way we would risk sabotaging the reputation we have got."
Ms Hogarty also reassured councillors that the music associated with the application would be at a low background level to avoid causing a disturbance. It was also explained that the alcohol offered would include mulled wine, Bailey's hot chocolate, and similar beverages during the Christmas season.
Prosecco would also be offered following private, pre-booked events such as afternoon Alpaca walking or Lamb feeding.
