Agenda and minutes

Councillor Tony Owen was appointed as Chairman for the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Application:

The application as originally submitted, sought a premises licence for the supply of alcohol, Monday to Sunday from 09.00 hours until 00.00 hours. Opening hours were requested from 09.00 hours until 00.30 hours for Monday to Sunday. The application also sought late night refreshment provision, Monday to Sunday from 23.00 hours until midnight. Live music was requested from Monday to Sunday from 09.00 hours until 23.30 hours and recorded music for Monday to Sunday from 12.00 hours until 23.30 hours. Performance of dance was applied for from Monday to Saturday from 12.00 hours until 23.30 hours and on Sunday from 12.00 hours until 23.00 hours.

The Sub-Committee was advised that subsequent to the submission of the application, revised hours had been agreed with the police. The revised hours requested the supply of alcohol from Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 09.00 hours to 22.30 hours, and on Friday and Saturday from 09.00 hours until 23.30 hours. The opening hours sought from Monday to Thursday were from 09.00 hours until 23.00 hours and on Friday and Saturday from 09.00 hours until midnight. The Applicant confirmed that these were the hours being applied for.

Case for Applicant:

The Applicant confirmed that his aim was to run a family restaurant. He was not currently planning to sell food after 23.00 hours and therefore did not need a licence to sell late night refreshment; there would only be recorded music and not live music. However, in the future, the Applicant stated that he would like to provide live music and there may be birthday parties at the premises.

A licence was currently held at the premises. The Applicant stated he was not responsible for any issues  arising because of the previous management and any complaints made against them. He was aware of an additional complaint made in respect of his occupation of the premises concerning events on 12^th October 2023, but he regarded this as unfair. In response to another complaint that the residents of the flats above had to walk through a terrace full of customers to reach their homes, he had now made sure the residents had clear access.

Representations and the Case for the Objectors

The Council had received five representations in support of the application, which welcomed the additional offer of a local restaurant. There were also four representations in objection, including the reference to 12^th October 2023. This related to a football match being viewed on a large screen at the premises. The complainant said he felt threatened when he visited the premises and intended to make a formal complaint to the police. More generally, the representations emphasised the residential nature of the premises with flats above. The representations expressed concern at the later hours being proposed and the additional disturbance this might involve. The Council was advised that with the previous business running to 9.30pm, residents were disturbed by loud chatter, laughter, movement of furniture and music. This would be worse with the later  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Licensing Sub-Committee carefully considered the application for the variation of the Premises Club Certificate at Wickham Park Sports Club, Pickhurst Rise, West Wickham.

The Licensing Sub-Committee made the following decision having regard to:

The four licensing objectives:

The Council’s current Statement of Licensing Policy (as amended):

Guidance issued under the Licensing Act 2003 (As amended); The Secretary of State Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (As amended):

Written and oral representations from the Applicant:

Written representation from  local residents:

Written representation from the Health & Safety and Licensing Team:

Written representation from the Metropolitan Police:

Written representation from the Ward Councillor:

The Decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee was as follows:

On the 26th October 2023, the Licensing Sub-Committee considered the application, and decided to grant the variation to Wickham Park Sports club premises certificate, subject to the amendments made at the Hearing. The amendments related to the licenseable activities  and the relevant permitted hours, the revised Metropolitan Police conditions 1,3,8,10 and 15. The applicant  offered to provide the Council with a copy of the revised club rules by the end of January 2024.

1.THE APPLICANT / THE CLUB’S CASE

Two representatives for Wickham Park Sports Club (‘the Club’), Ben Hayward and Lynne Hayward (the Applicants) attended the Hearing. The Applicants introduced the application and in brief mentioned that the current club premises certificate license granted in 2006 was not appropriate for the Club in practical terms as a result of an increase in the services which the club was now able to provide its members, and the local community. The Club had therefore submitted its application to extend its hours to allow it to serve more people, to extend its indoor activites for sporting events, to attract other members and the local community. The applicant(s) mentioned that they had agreed to the proposed Metropolitan Police conditions.  Those conditions were amended at the Hearing and the applicant agreed to the amended conditions1,3,8,10 and 15and included a new condition number 15. Areas of discussion concerned  a)Sale of Alcohol b) Indoor Sports c) Live Music d) Recorded Music e) Performanceof Dance f) Late night refreshment g) Opening Hours (see paragraph 3 below).  Also discussed were the points raised in objections which included noise nuisance, and issues regarding dispersal after large evening events.

The Applicants mentioned that the Club’s plan was to hold events on behalf of schools, sports providers, its members, and to serve the community.

The Club allowed only members to book for the specific events. The Club attracted a varied age group. During the special events, the Club wanted to provide refreshments. The Applicants mentioned that the Club had accepted the police conditions.

The Applicants said that the nursery school (which was located within the building), did not object to the application. The Applicants mentioned that the nursery had a separate wing;  it did not have access to the bar area and had its own toilets.

The Club was in the process  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.