A local business owner has shared his frustration at the postponement of his venue on the agenda of last night's Licencing Meeting, which overran. 

This meant that two venues on the agenda seeking alcohol licences were not discussed at the meeting, their licensing slots postponed. Rutland County Council has since confirmed that this will be rescheduled for 2 May. 

One of these was Bills Bar, located at 2 – 4 Grosvenor House, Melton Road, and owned and run by Jonathan Spencer.  

Business owner Jonathan Spencer said: "From my point of view, this is very frustrating. I have been a business owner in the town and been a rate payer and a license holder in the town for 10 years without any issues… this means that I pay for licensing, so this delay is especially frustrating."  

The other venue that had its slot postponed was the new kiosk, proposed for land near Normanton Church on Rutland Water. The kiosk application was for a New Premises License, while the Bills Bar application was for a Premises License Variation.  

Mr Spencer alleges that he "attended because I was asked to, because I was told the decision would be made.  

"I travelled all the way from my home in Winchester to achieve nothing." 

This postponement not only delays the opening of these venues, but has put the Council under a tight time constraint, considering that the Local Elections are set to take place on 4 May 2023. 

As such, the meeting to discuss these applications will now take place on 2 May.

Mr Spencer is relieved about the update, saying that he "didn't want to be granted this license by default. I want to discuss this with the local people, I want to work with them. I want this to be done properly, with discussion about the conditions of the license, to allow the deputations to be heard and to keep the local people happy." 

It has been confirmed that the licensing (which is outsourced to Peterborough Council by Rutland County Council) of these venues will be addressed by the Council on 2 May.