Sussex Police oppose plan for Brazen Wine on Hanningtons Lane

Brazen Wine hoped to sell organic, biodynamic and natural wines for almost a month from 5 Hanningtons Lane.

It wanted to open from 11am to 8pm Wednesday to Saturday and from noon to 8pm on Sundays from Wednesday, August 18, until Sunday, September 12.

A Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel, made up of three councillors, is due to decide whether to approve the plans.

Sussex Police said the proposed shop was in a busy area with a “saturation” of licensed premises, linked to higher levels of crime and disorder.

The council’s policy is not to allow any new pubs, bars or off-licences in the area unless there are exceptional circumstances.

• READ MORE: Hanningtons Lane open for private events and pop ups

The police said Brazen Wine had proposed “some measures to manage the risk, including sealed containers for consumption ‘off’ the premises as well as no tastings or consumption on-site”.

But their letter of objection added: “We do not feel adequate provisions have been made or outlined to prevent the potential for disorder or sufficiently promote the protection of children from harm throughout the duration of the event.”

It was hoped that pop-ups could take place on Hanningtons Lane as part of a revamp

Brazen Wine director James Walker, 31, said it would operate a “Challenge 25” policy, challenging anyone who appeared to be under 25 to show their identity.

This was not included in the application submitted by fellow director Jonathan Grice, 30, which said it planned to use the shop to promote its brand and products.

It said: “We will be selling organic, biodynamic and natural wines sourced from small artisan producers, from winemakers based locally and abroad.

“We have no plans to sell any other alcoholic products during this event or hold any tastings or have any consumption on-site or immediately outside the premises.

“We plan to only sell our products in sealed containers (wine bottles) for consumption off of the premises.”

The licensing panel hearing is due to start at 10am on Wednesday (11 August) and is scheduled to be webcast on the council website.

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