On 29 January 2019, Punch Taverns Ltd made a full variation application for their premises licence covering the Mermaid Inn on St Mary’s. The Council received a number of representations against this variation and it was necessary to hold a hearing to determine the outcome.
The Council took the application to a panel of 3 members of the licensing committee on 9 April 2019. Members decided not to grant the full application, but granted the extended hours requested on selected days of the week rather than every day.
Mr Tom Mitchell appealed this decision, with the appeal scheduled to be heard by Truro Magistrates on 2 and 3 October 2019. Before the appeal could be heard, the appellant came to an agreement with Punch Taverns that was supported by the local authority, therefore eliminating the need to go to court.
As the authority’s decision was not ultimately challenged, the Council of the Isles of Scilly made an application for costs amounting to £25,000. The court awarded the authority £5,000.