ASHLEY HALL- LICENCE CONSULTATION
UPDATE NOVEMBER 2020
The Tatton Estate recently lodged an application for a premises licence with Cheshire East Council in order to welcome more community friendly events at Ashley Hall. Unfortunately the application attracted a number of objections, so we have therefore taken the decision to withdraw it. Some local residents suggested that they would have welcomed notification of our intentions prior to lodging the application. Although we did engage in discussion with some parts of the community, clearly this did not go far enough. For that omission, we offer our sincere apologies.
It is our intention, in the New Year, to look again at how best we can develop Ashley Hall. However, before lodging any new application we will embark on a full and open consultation with our neighbours. Further details of this will be communicated in due course.
We sincerely hope that this fresh approach of engagement will demonstrate our commitment to being good and responsible neighbours. We look forward to working with the community to find better, workable solutions and hopefully be granted a licence to welcome family-centric events & performances to a wonderful part of our county, which in turn will help in securing the future for the Hall and grounds themselves.
Introduction
Ashley Hall is a country house standing to the north of the village of Ashley, Cheshire, England. It dates from the late 16th to the early 17th century, with additions made in the 18th and 19th centuries. The house is historically important because it was here that the Cheshire gentlemen met in 1715 to decide whether to support the Stuarts or the Hanoverians. They decided on the latter and later commissioned a set of portraits, which now hang in Tatton Hall. The house is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.
The Tatton Estate have been investing heavily in slowly and carefully restoring this heritage asset that had been somewhat ‘unloved’ as a working farm, and working with Tatton Events (part of the Tatton Group) to find innovative new uses to bring it back to life and fund the building and other works needed.
A well established and run events venue
The Showgrounds have hosted a range of events attracting young and old alike locally and further afield to this special place. The Traction Engine Rally, Tatton Social and Rough Runner are some of the highlights. The buildings have served as Tatton Studios for CBBC/Netflix’s Worst Witch for four seasons as well as Fox Searchlight’s Tolkien with Lilly Collins and Nicholas Hoult, even turning Showgrounds into the Battle of the Somme complete with cavalry charges.
What is the licence for?
This application is for the grant of a comprehensive new premises licence to include the 6 Showgrounds, North Range offices, event barns and the entire 100+ acre grounds for a wide variety of events, including weddings, plays, film shows, circuses, vintage car rallies, food and drink festivals, craft fayres and many others, at which there may be licensable activity.
The sale of alcohol will be limited to the indicated boundary of the land and will be conveyed in several different ways. Examples: temporary pop up bars, mobile bars, marquee tent bars & fixed internal bars.
This application is for a single premises licence to allow the sale by retail of alcohol from any number of stalls and businesses for consumption both on and off the premises. The precise conditions for each stall will be determined by and under the control of the premises licence holder.
To offer any of the licensable activities, we currently apply for a TENs (Temp Event Notice) from our local council (Cheshire East) this notice allows us to utilize any of the activities under set parameters. This process also applies to any event management company, renting our land for events.
A permanent formal licence will provide from a much stronger regulatory regime and allow Ashley Hall to flourish, supporting investment and new jobs as well as a vibrant calendar for people to enjoy old and young alike.
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Event Study - Tatton Social
The Tatton Social is a successful summer family fun day which included family friendly attractions, artisan food stalls, various charities & makers market stalls. Tatton Social was first established in July 2020 on the grounds of Ashley Hall by Tatton Estate to try an encourage outdoor, safe, socialisation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ‘Social’ welcomed over 5000 people during its 2020 summer run, over 4 events, with all featuring a bar. During the last 3 events we made the decision to bring bar & refreshment operations in house and created, the temporary bar: Bar Tatton. This served many items ranging from soft drinks to cocktails and everything in between. Bar staff were briefed and training to ID and refuse sales to people underage, intoxicated or who posed a credible threat to any young person within their care. Overall, feedback on the event was overwhelmingly positive with a few negative comments which pointed towards the need to include MORE activities on the event, post COVID.
We need your support
To deliver these exciting events and investment, the Tatton Estate needs your feedback and support please. We are keen to work with all businesses and individuals to ensure the licence is well thought through and approved and to make sure the venue is a success for all. Taking into consideration the type of events, limiting numbers and the ultimate management of all licenced events on Ashley Hall is the first step.
Please send us your questions and feedback – and hopefully your support – for this application in any of the following ways:
- Through our online consultation form
- Support via social media pages
- Written letter to Tatton Estate/Group
Consultation form below
Facebook/tattonevents
Tatton Group, The Estates Office, Arden Park, Altrincham, WA14 3SF
