Brewery relocating to Lewes is granted premises licence

Last Tuesday (December 1), a Lewes District Council licensing panel met to discuss an application to open a brewery and taproom at The Malthouse in Davey’s Lane. 

The hearing had been called as the application had proven to be somewhat controversial among neighbours, who had raised concerns around noise disturbance and anti-social behaviour.

After weighing the proposals, however, councillors agreed to grant the premise its licence, albeit with some amendments to opening hours.

In a decision notice published today (Tuesday, December 7), a council spokesman said: “The sub-committee in making this decision took into account the concerns expressed by those making representations in relation to the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance in particular noise. 

“It also took into account the applicant’s representations that the business would be primarily a brewery with a tap room and considered that given the nature of the business and its potential customers it was unlikely to undermine those licensing objectives. 

“On that basis the sub-committee decided to grant the licence and it considered that the modifications to the hours applied for and the addition of the conditions referred to above would address the legitimate and relevant concerns expressed.”

The original application had sought licensable hours of midday to 11pm during from Monday to Saturday and 10pm on Sundays.

This had seen some concerns raised by residents, who raised fears around noise disturbances and anti-social behaviour late at night. 

In light of these concerns applicants Andy Bridge and Andy Mellor (who is landlord of the Pelham Arms in Lewes High Street) said they would not object to a reduction in opening hours.

Following consideration, the licensing panel opted to reduce the time in which drinks could be sold for consumption on site to between 4pm to 8pm, Monday to Thursday, from midday to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and between midday to 4pm on Sundays. 

However, the brewery would have a separate licence for remote sales without these same restrictions. In essence, this will allow the business to sell beer online outside of the taproom’s opening hours.

The panel also imposed several other restrictions, including a requirement to hire door staff on Fridays and Saturdays and to install a CCTV system.

Once open, the premises are set to operate as the new home for the ABYSS brewery, a microbrewery run by Mr Bridge and Mr Mellor.

Speaking at the hearing, Mr Mellor said the brewing side of the business is currently based at an industrial site in Palehouse Common near Uckfield, but it began as an operation run from the basement of The Pelham Arms.

He said the taphouse would include an outdoor drinking area for customers, but said it was intended to be a “respectful community space” with the business selling “a premium product at premium prices.”