A Cornwall Council licensing meeting has heard that residents of a Cornish town are fearful of leaving their homes at night due to “alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour, violence and property damage”.

That was the view of an opponent of a bid to vary a premises licence to allow an off licence to provide alcohol tastings.

A licensing sub-committee previously refused a bid by Chings Alley Beer and Wine Cellar in Chings Alley, Launceston, to alter its licence last October citing that noise from customers would have a negative impact on residents of the alley.

The new application had resulted in representations being received from four residents against the proposal with 25 people in support. Devon and Cornwall Police had no objections since the applicant agreed that customers would stop drinking 20 minutes before 8pm closing.

Concerns were raised about noise issues, people urinating in the alleyway and an increase in antisocial behaviour.

Martyn Knight, speaking on behalf of applicant Tammy Nutley, said the objections suggested that granting the variation would increase crime and disorder “and implies that the premises may attract intoxicated or antisocial behaviour”.

He said: “However, this assumption is not supported by evidence. The Chings Alley Beer and Wine Cellar has been operating for approximately four months without any substantiated complaints relating to crime, disorder or antisocial behaviour.

“The premises are run by a long-established local family with over 40 years’ experience running a respected business in Launceston. This proven track record demonstrates a strong commitment to responsible management and full compliance with all relevant requirements and regulations.”

Mr Knight said the premises would remain a specialist retail shop and beer, wine and cider tastings would solely support purchases and would not create a drinking venue, bar or pub-style operation. He said running such an establishment is the “last thing we want to do”.

“Any wider antisocial behaviour experienced in Chings Alley has not been demonstrated to being attributable to this premises or to its customers.”

He believed that objections were based on assumptions of what might happen rather than on evidence of what is happening, and stressed that the committee had also received representations from people who value the premises.

Austin McNally, who has lived in Chings Court for 20 years, told the sub-committee member he was representing the views of residents in flats which overlook the alley.

He believed footfall would increase if the premises was licensed. “Although you’re saying you’re not opening as a pub, you are selling imperial measures at retail prices, so as far as we’re concerned it’s a bar licence you’re applying for.

“There are significant ongoing problems in the town centre in the evenings with alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour, violence and property damage causing residents to be frankly fearful of leaving their homes.

“We’ve had this on several occasions where we’ve had to report to the police and not be able to go out to evidence who’s causing it because of fear.”

Mr McNally added such behaviour happens in any town centre, but the damage specific to Launceston had occurred where Chings Alley joins Southgate Street and had resulted in the breaking of plate glass windows at the front of both the Cornish & Devon Post and the Rotary Club premises.

“I’ve called 999 on several occasions to report incidents of public disorder in the evenings. I’m mentioning this to outline the existing level of antisocial behaviour, violence and property damage that occurs on Southgate Street before this bar becomes licensed.”

Mr McNally also raised concerns about children’s bedroom windows overlooking the shop and the effect of smoking and “untoward conversations or conduct” on them. He said residents believed that could be a breach of the council’s safeguarding policies.

“We don’t feel there have been any real changes between the first judgement and the conditions which prevail today,” he added.

Mr Knight summed up the beer and wine cellar’s application: “We feel that our presence in Chings Alley, which includes soft lighting over a previous dark alleyway and surveillance cameras which we’ve already installed, will preclude people from coming up there and indulging in antisocial behaviour rather than increasing it.”

Following deliberation, the sub-committee refused the application, noting the similar application that was refused in October 2025 and felt that noise from customers so close to residential properties would have a negative impact on the public nuisance licensing objectives.