Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced the Members of the Sub Committee and welcomed everyone to the hearing.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the purpose of the hearing, which was to consider a variation to the premises licence to extend the terminal hour for all licensable activities on Friday and Saturday nights from 02.00 until 04.00 hours and the opening hours from 02.30 to 04.30 hours.

The Sub-Committee were informed that a number of objections to the variation application had been received from local residents on the grounds of public nuisance and the Sub-Committee would be addressed by Colum O’Kane, David Sogrowiczuk and ,Richard Ellson.  An objection had also been initially received from the Police but had been withdrawn following discussions with the applicant.

Application for Variation to a Premises License

Mr Shield, on behalf of the applicant, explained that the brewery’s Regional Manager had anticipated being present at the meeting to answer any questions which might arise but had been detained and would not be able to attend.  He would attempt, along with Mr Wesley and Ms Nelson, to answer any questions which might be asked.

He explained that the premises fell within the managed houses division of Marstons brewery Plc, a reputable brewery company.  They were not 100% managed premises but nor were the licensees tenants.

Mr Shield stated that the application would not noticeably change the premises’ current activities.  There were residential properties nearby but this was an area which already had a number of other licensed premises, restaurants, convenience stores and takeaways which already had late night opening.

The intention of extending the licensing hours was not to attract more customers into the premises but to allow those already using the premises to remain longer.

Mr Shield referred to the three objections contained in the agenda.  He stated that comments regarding parking restrictions were planning and not licensing issues and that some of the other comments, if accurate, were not specific to the premises.

Mr Shield stated that the Police had requested two conditions, which the applicant had been happy to comply with, namely that there should be no new admissions to the premises on Friday and Saturday nights after 3am and that there should be a door supervisor from 11.00pm onwards on those nights.  The Police had not objected to the application.

Discussions had taken place with Environmental Health Officers and a condition had been agreed to close the enclosed rear garden from 11.00pm and to direct smokers to outside the front of the premises, where they could be managed and would cause less noise and disturbance to residents.

Mr Shield stated that there were no substantial noise nuisance issues and he considered the conditions would deal with any issues which might arise.

Mr Shield stated that there were no objections from the Police regarding crime and disorder and that case law had determined that the Police were the relevant authority to be considered in such issues.  He stated that the premises were in a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.