The New Cross Arts Centre in Somerset faces another delay in obtaining its alcohol licence after a councillor failed to attend a scheduled public hearing—marking the second cancellation within a week.
Located on the edge of South Petherton, the arts centre and tea room provides vital employment and volunteer opportunities for adults and young people with learning disabilities. Operated by New Cross Arts Centre CIC, the venue applied to Somerset Council for an alcohol licence to allow the sale of alcohol to tea room customers and during fundraising events.
The licensing sub-committee south, responsible for applications in the former South Somerset area, planned to review the application virtually on November 27. This hearing was prompted by an objection from Kingsbury Episcopi Parish Council.
However, the meeting was abruptly postponed after only two of the three appointed councillors joined the Microsoft Teams session. Councillors Martin Lovell (Liberal Democrat, Shepton Mallet) and Tony Robbins (Liberal Democrat, Mendip Hills) were present, but Councillor Hugh Davies (Independent, Watchet and Stogursey) did not attend. Without a full panel, the meeting could not proceed.
Councillor Lovell explained, “Unfortunately, due to the fact that we are not quorate, we will need to postpone the meeting. We aim to reschedule for the new year and will contact all involved parties with new proposed dates shortly. We apologise for the late notice and any inconvenience caused.”
No explanation was given for Councillor Davies' absence. This postponement echoes a similar situation just two days earlier, when a hearing concerning the operating hours of KFC’s Dunball restaurant and drive-thru in Bridgwater was cancelled after another councillor failed to attend.
Updated dates for both postponed hearings will be announced on the council’s official website in the near future.