Wolverhampton Grammar School gets licence to sell alcohol
A private school has been granted a licence to sell alcohol, but senior staff stressed it would not lead to more functions and events.
Wolverhampton Grammar School was granted a premises licence this week, which will allow for the sale of alcohol on the main school site, as well as regulated entertainment such as school concerts and drama productions.
The city council's licensing sub-committee approved the application at a meeting.
Penny Rudge, the Compton Road school's bursar, said it had held a premises licence since 2005, allowing for school concerts and performances during specified times.
When the school wanted to sell alcohol it applied for a temporary event licence, which is limited to 15 in a calendar year.
Mrs Rudge said when the school wanted to alter the times for entertainment, and sell alcohol, they were advised by the council to apply for a whole new premises licence, which was done in February but withdrawn by the school to make changes. She said: "The core business of the school is that of education, and as part of any normal school education this inevitably leads to the performance of plays and concerts by pupils.
"In the same way as visiting a theatre or concert hall, interval drinks are provided for parents. It really is a single glass of wine or beer during the 15 minute interval." It is currently sold from a small table, and Mrs Rudge assured the sub-committee the school had no intention of building or opening an actual bar.
As part of the premises licence, the school will have to install CCTV cameras in areas alcohol may be sold, as well as operate a Challenge 25 policy.
