Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Simon Jeal was appointed chairman for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Harry Stranger.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Jeal announced that the third member of the sub-committee, Cllr Stranger, was not present and asked the parties if they were content to proceed with the hearing with just 2 councillors on the panel. If not, the hearing would be adjourned to the next available date. The applicant and both of the objectors confirmed they were content.

Mr Slaney updated members to say the report had mistakenly highlighted Five Guys as the application site, when it was in fact the vacant former Lakeland unit next door. The application had been amended so that the terminal hour at New Year's was 0200 on New Year's Day. The applicant had prepared a revised list of proposed conditions, which included conditions agreed with the police. Following discussions with the applicant, the Public Health Nuisance Team had withdrawn their objection.

Applicant’s case:

Mr Botaki stated the venue would operate as a lounge diner and not a night time venue or drinking venue. There had been discussions with the police before the application had been submitted. It was unlikely the premises would open until 0000 during the week, but the applicant would like that flexibility included in the licence if possible.

A limit of 2200 would not work. Although off-sales were included in the application, there would be virtually none, save for customers taking an opened bottle home with them after a meal. There were no plans to use the mothballed areas shown on page 29 of the agenda. There would be a protocol for the 6 outdoor tables and only customers would be allowed. It was unlikely this would attract additional drinking in the square. Five Guys sold alcohol, as did numerous other venues in the vicinity. This would be a family diner and customers would be seated at tables and chairs. The business was very much about food with alcohol to go with it.

Being in an area of cumulative impact changed the onus, but didn’t mean every application had to be refused. On the balance of probabilities, the premises wouldn’t add to the impact. It would add to the mix of premises. There was no objection from any responsible authority.

Questions to the applicant:

Cllr Jack asked about online deliveries and the applicant said there would be none. For the outside dining, customers would order on the app or at the counter and food would be brought out. The same applied to the indoor tables. While drinks could be collected from the bar, Challenge 25 would apply, so that staff would check everyone in the party was old enough. Following a discussion about times, Mr Botaki said he did not object if Members wanted to shorten the hours by 30 minutes Sundays to Thursdays.

Cllr Jeal asked about conditioning the availability of a phone number for residents and Mr Botaki said this could be agreed. During a discussion over the type of operation, Mr Botaki confirmed that it was not a pub. While there would be a drinks happy hour, there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.