An arts venue in a former Methodist church will have its application for a premises licence decided next week.

Isbourne Arts in Winchcombe has applied for a licence for performance of plays, exhibition of films, performance of live music, performance of recorded music, performance of dance, other similar forms of entertainment and sale by retail of alcohol. The venue has applied for the licence to run from 9am to 11pm, seven days a week.

Tewkesbury Borough Council's Licensing Sub-Committee will make the decision at its meeting on Wednesday (April 23).

Isbourne Arts has an auditorium with space for 144 people seated or 210 standing, with space to seat 20 on an upstairs balcony. There is a small bar at the back of the auditorium and a small forecourt outside the building which may be used for serving drinks in the summer.

The venue said it will not be putting on its own plays, but will be hosting performances by local and visiting theatre groups. The events will be 'widely enjoyable' by the local community. Any films shown will be restricted to the appropriate audience for the age rating of the film.

The licence application said: "Children may be present as performers in plays, dance and musical events. They may also be present as audience members. Isbourne Arts has a comprehensive safeguarding policy and insists that anyone using the premises does likewise.

"If alcohol is to be served, all staff are fully trained to challenge anyone who is, or appears to be, under 25 years of age to prove their age with an approved form of photographic ID."

It added: "The licensee will ensure that, whenever the premises are used for any licensable activity, there will be sufficient competent staff on duty to fulfil the terms and conditions of the licence and to prevent crime and disorder."

The organisation has agreed several conditions with the police as part of its licence application:

• All incidents of crime must be reported to the police

• First aid equipment must be supplied on premises

• The designated premises supervisor shall ensure tables or areas are cleared of all bottles and glasses regularly to avoid an accumulation of glassware

• Staff will be trained on safety, evacuation and use of emergency equipment as required - all training must be logged and dated

• The Challenge 25 scheme shall be adopted

• A log shall be kept to record all refused sales of alcohol

• An incident log will be kept which will include the date, time and details of any incident

• Deliveries to take place during standard delivery hours

• All customers will be asked to leave quietly

• Clear and legible notices will be prominently displayed to remind customers to leave quietly and have regard to neighbours

Despite this, two members of the local community have raised objections to the licence application. They were concerned that the licence would be for up to 500 people, despite the fact that the maximum capacity of the venue is 230.

One objection said: "While we are, in principle, very supportive of this community-led initiative, we are also keen to ensure that any undue disturbance to neighbours, especially late at night, is kept to a minimum. The current soundproofing is inadequate when there is loud music and a compère. I hope this can be made a condition of any license."

The other objection said: "Events held, when it belonged to the Church, were always relatively quiet and respectful of surrounding neighbours.

"A few weeks ago, there was an event with thumping music and a compere shouting into a microphone so loudly I had to increase the volume on my TV to hear the programme I was watching.

"I am also concerned about serving drinks, including alcohol, outside on the forecourt next to the High Street. This is an area with many private homes which could be adversely affected by loud conversation/ laughter etc late in the evening. I feel that drinking alcohol in the outside courtyard in the summer might create a public nuisance, especially in the evenings, and should not be allowed at any time."

The committee must decide whether to grant the application, whether to grant it with modification to times or conditions, or reject all or part of the application.