Worthing Pride Licence Hearing Adjourned

A hearing to decide whether Worthing Pride can renew its premises licence has been adjourned until further notice.

Worthing Borough Council’s licensing and control sub-committee B met on Wednesday 3 September to consider the application but voted to delay proceedings after a request from the council’s environmental team.

The application, submitted by organiser Garrie Richardson, sought to extend the annual event in Steyne Gardens from two to three days, with new opening hours, and the current licence due to expire in September 2025.

Police mediation

Sussex Police initially objected but later reached “successful mediation” with the applicant. Agreed changes included:

• Friday and Saturday closing times reduced from 12.30am to midnight.

• Sunday closing at 9.30pm.

• Security on site for an extra hour after closing.

• Alcohol sales restricted to half an hour before closing (one hour on Sunday).

• Late-night refreshments limited to 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday.

• Music and dance performances restricted to within an hour of closing (30 minutes on Sundays).

Why it was adjourned

Council officers said mediated times and other important details were submitted with less than 48 hours’ notice, leaving insufficient time for review.

The environmental team also wanted to be present to answer questions at the next hearing.

Resident concerns

According to a council report, 20 objections were received from residents, many worried about the proposed increase in both the number of days and the opening hours of the event.

The hearing will be reconvened once officers have reviewed the updated application and scheduled input from the environmental team.