Alcohol licensing arrangements for Appleby Fair

A Charter of Best Practice has been created for licensees and managers of both On and Off licence premises in Appleby. The Charter formalises working practices which have previously been agreed between licensees and the police for past Fairs. The Charter is being extended to premises in Bolton, Dufton, Temple Sowerby, Long Marton and Warcop.

Appleby Fair is the only such event in the UK Mainland which is not a ‘dry event’ (alcohol sales are permitted in licensed premises).

For most licensees the Charter will not represent any change to their good working practices, however for some licensees it will be mean a change to the way they operate their premises i e some premises will be operating with Security Industry Association (SIA) Licensed Door Supervisors.

Staffing Issues Mean Temporary Closure of The Grapes Inn
Unfortunately due to staffing issues, Jennings/Marstons the premises licence holder for The Grapes Inn (Appleby) has decided not to open the pub for the 2010 Horse Fair. Officers from Eden District Council and Cumbria Police have worked proactively to advise Jennings/Marstons in the run up to the Fair, but the company has taken the decision to temporarily close their premises.

Following crime and disorder issues at The Grapes Inn during the 2009 Horse Fair, the premises licence for the establishment was subject to a formal review and conditions were imposed. Eden District Council and Cumbria Police work closely with all licensed premises in and around Appleby to help ensure they operate within their licence conditions during the Horse Fair period.

Read the Charter of Best Practice for On license premises in Appleby during the Fair

Read the Charter of Best Practice for Off license premises in Appleby during the Fair

See which licensed premises in Appleby and the surrounding area have signed up to the Charters of Best Practice and their opening hours and which premises are closed.

Licensees will be encouraged to risk assess the operation of their premises during the Fair – this is good practice under normal circumstances but is even more relevant when operating under the immense pressure of an event like Appleby Fair.

A risk assessment will help identify where preventive measures need to be put in place, for example to prevent overcrowding. Multi agency teams will be actively monitoring licensed premises during the Fair so that any complaints can be dealt with swiftly and efficiently.

This year, the Police will be actively targeting the unlawful sale of alcohol on the residential fields following concerns raised by those using the residential fields during the 2009 Horse Fair.

Images from the fair...