Innsatiable: Pressure increases on "unlicensed bar" in Farnham, Surrey

26-Sep-2012 - Last updated on 26-Sep-2012 at 15:51 GMT

Related tags Crime

Under pressure: Contoversial venue Innsatiable must be closely monitored, said the ALMR's Kate Nicholls

Pressure is rising on the Home Office to take action over the unlicensed bar in Farnham, Surrey, called Innsatiable.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has urged the Government to employ all possible controls to monitor the activities of the controversial venue, while health minister and local MP Jeremy Hunt has written a letter to the new minister responsible for alcohol licensing, Jeremy Browne, asking for action.

The venue in Farnham has come under fire for giving away ‘free’ alcohol to the public, but asking that customers donate to the furniture shop by buying a beer mat.

Kate Nicholls, strategic affairs director for the ALMR, said that while Innsatiable may not be in breach of the Licensing Act, it “must comply with a wide range of legislation” to show it is a responsible business.

“We have raised this matter at a national and local level with relevant regulatory bodies,” she said. “Although this venture appears to be outside the letter of the Licensing Act, this does not mean that it is totally unregulated.

“Licensed or not, all businesses — and particularly those trading late and providing entertainment — must comply with a wide range
of legislation.

“There are more than adequate controls under crime and disorder, noise, nuisance and the planning regime to ensure that this business operates responsibly — and we will be urging those to be deployed to the full.”

The minister for crime prevention at the Home Office, Jeremy Browne MP, will be responding “in due course” to a letter sent to him about Innsatiable by health secretary and South West Surrey MP, Jeremy Hunt.

Hunt said: “Legally the owner of Innsatiable is doing nothing wrong, but I know that there are genuine concerns about the impact of the scheme on the pub trade in Farnham and fears that similar businesses might open in other towns.

“Therefore, I have asked the minister responsible for alcohol licensing to have a look at this loophole and its potential implications.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is a criminal offence to sell alcohol without a licence. This may include situations where alcohol is included as part of a wider contract or transaction, or where no specific price is quoted but donations are requested.”

The owner of the venue, Simon Atkins, was unavailable for comment.