Family-run craft beer business faces opposition in application to sell booze in Aylesbury Vale

Objections stated this craft beer business could cause a 'public nuisance'.
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A couple hoping to launch a craft beer business from their family home in Wendover have said their venture will be for ‘delivery only’ following concerns about traffic and parking.

James and Kerry Whewell, of Wendover Beers Ltd, have submitted to Bucks Council an application for a new premises licence, at 19 Wood Lane, in Wendover.

The proposed site is a small garden building in the back garden of the Wood Lane premises, according to council documents. The family-run business proposes to sell alcohol online ‘for consumption off the premises’.

The beer would be sold on a housing estateThe beer would be sold on a housing estate
The beer would be sold on a housing estate

Supply hours will be between 5pm-9pm, Wednesday to Friday, 11am-6pm on Saturday, and on Sunday between 11am-4pm.

Ten objections were received during a 28-day consultation, mainly concerning the “prevention of public nuisance”.

Initially the plans were for alcohol sales both on and off site but have since been amended to ‘off-site only’.

One objector wrote at the time: “It will cause public disorder and also will increase the crime due to many people attending to consume alcohol.

“If this is allowed in a residential housing estate it will cause public nuisance in multiple ways, such as noise and disorderly behaviour of the drunken people.”

However, after a letter and revised application form was sent out, eight of ten objectors requested their submissions be withdrawn.

“The premises is not intended as a venue for consuming alcohol, only the sale of alcohol online for consumption off the premises, which will be delivered to customers via my own personal transport,” wrote the applicant.

All orders will be delivered by the company director until the need to employ a dedicated driver arises, council documents state.

“My aim is to promote responsible drinking and I do not see such a business venture as any risk to public safety since 100 per cent of the sales activity will be conducted via an e-commerce website,” wrote the applicant.

They added: “The business does not intend to carry out any activity which could cause a public nuisance.” CraThe matter will be discussed during a licensing sub-committee hearing, on June 14.