As many of you in the Headley Way area know, the White Horse recently applied for an extension to its opening hours, to stay open into the early hours and also to open in the morning from 9am. They also asked for an extension for the time that under-18s could be in the dining area. Ruth and I have heard several complaints recently about the pub and the behaviour in the local area that flows from it. Local residents have been especially concerns about this application, with serious worries about the impact of later night opening and the danger that the pub would become more like a night club. Residents organised a petition, submitted representations, held a meeting at which I discussed their concerns and where several families and elderly couples asked me to represent them at the hearing.

The hearing occurred yesterday evening and here’s the result of it. Greene King attended and, at the beginning, announced a very significant change to their application — they removed any extension of night-time hours completely. The application, then, was only for morning opening from 9am, and for the extension of times for under-18s attending. They explained this was because they wanted to emphasis the pub as a food establishment rather than a ‘liquor-driven’ location. As a result, the police withdrew their request for a condition to have door staff but retained several other conditions. I spoke, reflecting residents’ concerns and trying to make sure that there were no loopholes. The committee accepted the revised application, with the police’s conditions attached.
So, in short, while the pub can now open earlier in the morning, it can not stay open any later than it presently does. This is a very significant climbdown on their part and I sense that this is largely due to the hard work of residents, led by Peter Combey, who organised the petition. He deserves a round of applause!

What also came out of this event was that Greene King have agreed to have an evening when they will host residents and allow you to talk with the licensee about your concerns and what can be done to overcome them. I have offered to help arrange that meeting and will do so in the near future — please drop me a line if you want to attend.

Of course, there may still be issues with how the White Horse works. Personally, I am pleased that a condition to have bouncers was not imposed because that would have institutionalised the night-club-like aspect: much better to keep them to their word that they want to turn the venue into a ‘family-friendly’ pub. We do need to monitor this and I ask you, please, to contact me or Ruth Wilkinson if you are affected by any incidents involving the pub in the coming months. Needless to say, we’re ready to work with you and the brewery to make sure we get the improvements that are said to be on their way.

Do you have concerns about the application to extend the licensing hours at the White Horse Pub on the corner of Headley Way and London Road?  Do you want to come to a meeting to speak up about your worries and understand more about the process of making your views known?

There is a public meeting planned in the Victoria Court conservatory at 7 pm next Monday 8 June, do come along if this issue concerns you.  David will be on hand to explain how licensing applications are dealt with by the City Council

A licensing application has been made for the White Horse (Hungry Horse) in Headley Way and the deadline for representations is 4 June 2009.  If you wish to know more about this application, please click Licensing Applications on the central orange toolbar.

David is willing to hold a meeting with local residents to explain the procedures if you think this would be helpful?  Please comment here or email either David or me if you would like us to organise this

There are two licensing applications in process as follows, select licensing applications on the central orange toolbar for the website link

09/00227/PREM

Waitrose

9 – 11 Old High Street

Premises Licence for Waitrose supermarket, 9- 11 Old High Street, Headington. Licensable activities are recorded music and sale of alcohol.

Deadline for representations: 3/4/09

09/00223/PREM

Oxford Brookes University

Helena Kennedy Centre, Headington Hill, Oxford  OX3 0BT 

TIME LIMITED Premises Licence application for Oxford Brookes Student Union, Helena Kennedy Student Centre, Headington Hill Campus and Grounds, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BT. Licence is for Student Union Ball on 23/05/09 19.00 hrs until 03.00 hrs on 24/05/09. Application contains the following activities: Films, live music

Deadline for representations: 31/3/09

The latest update as exciting things are happening at both The Black Boy and The White Hart.

As many of you know, The Black Boy is now in new hands, as I mentioned previously.  Ruth has already spent a convivial evening there, with members of the Headington & Marston e-Forum, ably facilitated by Stephanie Jenkins (the Forum that is — I can’t speak for the evening as I couldn’t be there). The pub is now closed for the final stages of refurbishment, and re-opens on Tuesday, 7th October, with its full menu then available. Good luck to Abi and to Chris who are running it!

The White Hart is also seeing a change of landlord. I’ve not yet had chance to meet the new people but both Ruth and I wish them the very best for their time in the wonderful village of Old Headington.

Some of you might remember the White Hart’s licensing application to be able to use its garden for smokers. There has now been a decision on it, allowing the use but with limits placed on it. Specifically, the conditions are:

• The garden area shall not be used after 2300 hours except for patrons wanting to smoke in the designated smoking area. Drinks shall not be taken outside the premises by customers using the designated smoking area after 23.00 hours. 
• The designated smoking area after 23:00hrs shall be used by no more than 10 persons at any one time.

This is certainly a compromise solution. It’s to be hoped that it works for everyone involved, both residents and those using the pub. If any issues do arise, please do drop Ruth or myself a line and, as always, we’ll get onto it.

There is one current licensing application in the Headington Ward being processed by the Licensing Authority week ending 29 August 2008

08/00734/PREM White Hart Public House, 12 St Andrew’s Rd.

Please click on Licensing applications on the left hand tool bar for details

David and I have received quite a few enquiries lately about licensing applications concerning premises in the Headington area.  If you want to find out more, please click on the Council’s licensing application search link

I shall make a link to this search site from the left hand toolbar so that you can reach it quickly at any time 

I have been liaising with Greene King, who own The Black Boy on Old High Street, following the departure of the last tenant. As you’ll know, it’s now under temporary management but Greene King have now told me that they have  found new permanent tenants and it is hoped that they will take over by the middle of September. I am also in contacting with the new tenants who are enthusiastic and highly able. We will post more when we  have discussed with them further but this could be really good news for Headington.

The White Hart, the attractive pub on St. Andrew’s Road in Old Headington is applying for a change to its alcohol licence, in order to allow smokers to use the back garden after 11pm in the evening. The details are on the City Council’s website, under item 08/00734/PREM. If you live in the immediate vicinity and want to make a representation about this application, write to the Council ahead of the deadline on 26th August. If you want advice about how to make a representation, do drop Ruth or myself a line.