Beer bike operator wins Bath alcohol licence despite police concern
Police in Bristol and South Wales have warned that the application for an alcohol licence in Bath resembles a “Trojan Horse scenario” because the pedal bike activity takes place in other cities. The licence allows alcohol storage in Bath for beer bike tours operating in Cardiff and Bristol. Among the concerns is the prospect of public urination.
Beer Travel UK Limited has secured a licence to store alcohol in Bath for beer bike tours operating in Cardiff and Bristol.
Bath and North East Somerset Council approved the application for a storage container at Container 21, 105 to 115 High Street in Twerton. The licence permits off-site alcohol supply between 08:00 and 21:00 daily, according to council documents.
The alcohol will be stored at the Bath site and allocated to customer bookings before being transported to tours in other cities. Customers will not attend the premises.
Police warn of ‘Trojan Horse scenario’
Police forces in Bristol and South Wales objected to the proposal. Avon and Somerset Police wrote that the application “feels like a Trojan Horse scenario” because alcohol would be stored in Bath while the business operates in Bristol and Cardiff.
Officers raised concerns about safety, nuisance and traffic disruption linked to alcohol consumption on pedal-powered beer bikes operating on public roads.
South Wales Police also questioned why the licence was sought in Bath when the tours take place mainly in Cardiff. The force said the arrangement would allow the operator to hold a licence in one area while exporting “risks, noise and disorder” to another, including the prospect of public urination.
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Operator says licence improves oversight
The company’s solicitor, Chris Grunert, said the business wanted to operate within a regulated environment.
He said beer bike tours could run on a bring your own alcohol basis without any licence but the company had chosen to obtain one.
Beer Travel UK Limited told the hearing it had already conducted more than 400 tours in Cardiff and Bristol.
Tours continue outside Bath
The Bath site will function only as a storage and dispatch location.
Beer bikes themselves do not operate in the Bath licensing area and there are no plans to introduce tours there, according to the application submitted to the council.
The decision means alcohol for tours in Cardiff and Bristol will now be supplied from the Bath container under the approved licence.
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