Northumberland County Council has granted a licence that will see locally made cider sold out of a former chapel in one of the county’s most recognisable castles.
Applicant Philip Elliott applied for a licence to sell alcohol from the Old Chapel at Etal Castle between the hours of 9am and 6pm. Mr Elliott runs Northumberland Cider and Wine Co, and intends to sell his own cider from the chapel – however, the product is not to be consumed on the site.
At a licensing hearing on Wednesday, members heard concerns that granting the licence would allow the applicant to turn the chapel into a “tap room”. However, Mr Elliott insisted that would not be the case.
Speaking at the hearing, he said: “This is the only cider produced in Northumberland. It is made from pressed apples taken locally from around Northumberland where we can.
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“There has never been a problem in the past of people drinking in the grounds. The only thing that will be drunk on the premises will be free 50ml samples – we have no glassware, we have no facilities.
“We’re not able to do that because of our lease, and also we would never get a licence to do that because we don’t have toilets.”
Objector Eric Musgrave warned: “This would give him permission to run a trap bar 365 days a year. It is inappropriate, unnecessary and could lead to noise, public disorder and general activity that would not be suitable for a village like Etal.
“The applicant says he won’t do that, but it won’t stop him doing that. He could change his mind tomorrow.
“I have a suspicion that what we’re being told here is not what would happen, and if the licence is granted Mr Elliott has the legal right to run a bar at all hours of the day.”
After listening to submissions, the committee retired to consider their verdict. Since the hearing it has been confirmed that the licence was granted.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/old-chapel-etal-castle-northumberland-31145584
