Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced Members of the Sub Committee and welcomed everyone to the hearing. He explained that another Councillor who was present, was in attendance as an observer and would not be part of the decision making process.

The Licensing Officer outlined the purpose of the hearing to consider the application for a Temporary Events Notice (TENS) to extend the licensing hours from 21:00 hours to 06:00 hours on the 8^th and 9^th June 2012, to cover the sale of alcohol both on and off the premises of Flux, 94 Bridge Street, Northampton. He informed the Committee that an objection had been received from Northamptonshire Police on the grounds of two of the licensing objectives:

1.      Exceeding the occupancy numbers on the agreed risk assessment for the premises.

2.      On the grounds of Public Safety – (The Police had been made aware that Northamptonshire Fire Service had served an enforcement notice on the applicant)

The Licensing Officer explained that the occupancy number for the premises was 245, the application for the TENS had been for 250 people.

Application for a Temporary Events Notice (TENS)

The applicant – Mr Ebulubu, explained that he had been made acting manager of the premises and was a junior partner in the business with the designated premises supervisor – Juliet Drummond. He explained that on the 8^th June 2012, a carnival was due to be held in Northampton and therefore he was applying for a TENS in order to extend the current licensed hours of the premises to allow the premises to hold an ‘after party’ for 250 people. He stated that since being served an Enforcement Notice from Northamptonshire Fire Service on the 15^th May 2012 he had taken relevant steps to address the concerns of the Fire Service and putting into practise all licensing requirements.

Questions to the Applicant

In response to questions of the Committee, Mr Ebulubu stated that no tickets had been sold, as this would be done on the door, the evening of the event. He also explained that the event had been advertised, which had included information about the closing time being 06:00 hours on the 9^th June 2012. When asked about the premises capacity, Mr Ebulubu explained that the total capacity of the premises would be 250, which would be inclusive of both inside and outside the premises, which would also include 4 door staff, 3 bar staff and Mr Ebulubu himself.

Mr Grieves – Northamptonshire Fire Service informed the Committee during a conversation between him and Mr Ebulubu on the 11^th May 2012, and when asked if there were 250 people inside and a further 100 people outside the premises should whether conditions change outside, where would the 100 people outside go. Mr Ebulubu answered that they would all go inside the premises. Mr Grieves commented that should this occur, the occupancy numbers inside the premises would potentially be over 350 people and well above the maximum capacity of 245.

Representations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.