Issue - meetings

The Application

The application sought to vary the current licence by extending the licensed hours for the sale of alcohol on the premises from 00.30 to 02.00 hours, recorded music and the provision of late night refreshment from 01.00 until 02.00 hours on Friday and Saturdays. For both recorded music and the provision of light entertainment, the application envisaged a reduction of 30 minutes in the permitted times on Sundays. The application sought to add the provision of live music on Mondays to Wednesdays, between 12.00 to midnight, on Thursdays between 12.00 to 01.00 hours, on Friday and Saturdays between 12.00 to 02.00 hours and Sundays between 12.00 to 23.30 hours. The application stated “We request the additional hour for the main bar only. Terrace operation hours will remain the same. No change to rear of Premises Garden operation / times”.

The Case for the Applicant

The Applicant’s solicitor explained that the intention was for last orders on Friday and Saturdays to be given at 1.30 hours with a winding down period thereafter, and the premises closing at 02.00 hours. After contact with the police his client sought to address the possibility that his customers may leave the premises and walk along the High Street to other venues with later opening hours. The intention of the application is that customers will be able to remain on the premises until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and there will be no extra journey through the Town Centre. Conditions had been agreed with the police including a requirement that there be a last entry time to the premises of 00.30 hours.

It had been agreed with the Council’s Environmental Health Officer that triple glazing would be installed on the High Street elevation. For financial reasons this could be undertaken within 6 months of the grant of permission. With reference to the objection from the planning department, the applicant had not applied to vary the planning condition or apply for a certificate of lawfulness. However, the planning and licensing regimes were separate. With respect to the Council’s Special Policy of Cumulative Impact, due to the last admission time there would be no additional customers in the premises and therefore no further detrimental impact on licensing objectives. The intention was to reduce the number of people journeys and customers could remain in the premises and not move uphill along the High Street to another premises with later hours. In response to a question, it was confirmed that the noise complaints since July 2023 had not been made in respect of later hours. The business had direct contact with residents living either side of the premises. The number of external smokers would be limited to three persons who would only smoke in a position where a door supervisor was positioned. The premises had operated using TENS in December and January. The premises had engaged a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays, either to the current permitted hours or to the hours permitted by the TENS.

The Case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3