Herne Bay Press - Friday 16 July 1965.

Publican's Licence Appeal Rejected.

An application for a publican's functions licence for the "Windmill Hotel," Borstal Hill, Whitstable, was rejected by St. Augustine's magistrates at Canterbury on Wednesday last week. It was the sixth time that the hotel owner, Mr. Reginald Harborne, had appeared before the licencing justices to ask for a different licence.

Mr. Anthony Harvie, for Mr. Harborne, said that in November, 1961, a combined restaurant and residential licence was granted by the justices.

In February, 1963, he made his first application for a club licence, but this was not at all well received by the magistrates, and, was in fact refuse.

Think again.

In April, 1963, Mr. Harborne went back to the justices and again ask for a club licence and this time was told to go away and think about it again.

The following July he made up his mind and was then granted a club licence, on condition he gave up his combine licence.

Mr. Harvie said that this meant that anybody coming in for a meal could not get a drink unless they were members of the club.

"Mr. Harborne was in a bit of a mess, depending on the club with all the difficulties attending upon it," he said.

In April, 1964, Mr. Harborne was again before the magistrates and obtained a restaurant licence.

The application now before the court, Mr. Harvie said, was for a functions licence and for the return of the combined licence. Mr. Harbourne wished to surrender the club licence in return for these.

Wind Up Club.

Mr. Harvie thought that if this was done it would tidy up the present unsatisfactory licence arrangements. Under the functions licence, Mr. Harbourne would have to let the police know, in writing, when functions were being held.

Mr. Harbourne told the justices that the present licencing arrangements were not satisfactory. If the justices agreed, he will wind up the club and surrender the licence.

At the moment he had three types of business; the hotel, the restaurants and the demand for functions. He had recently added a motel of 6 bedrooms to the premises.

Because of licensing difficulties he had had to turn away 18 functions.

At first he got other licensees to get occasional licences and cater for such things as wedding receptions. But later they refused to do it because it was not economical and he found he was unable to provide drinks for such functions. The only way out was for the organisers to bring their own drinks with them.

Fifty Functions.

He thought that if the licence was granted he will be able to get about 50 functions of year.

Refusing the application, after considering it for 30-minutes, Mr. S. G. Brealy, Chairman of the Bench, said that although they were not in favour of granting both club and residential licences for the same premises, they felt that the situation had changed and they were therefore grant him a residential licence.