Decision details

The Special Licensing Sub Committee A was asked to consider an application by Pleasure-time Ltd to provide a licensable activity in the form of the sale of alcohol.

The Licensing Officer presented the report and outlined the purpose and recommendations.  The Officer gave a brief outline of the background to the application as detailed in points 5.1 – 5.6 of the report.  At section 6.4 the Committee was informed that the Planning Officer had made comments on this application in relation to Planning permission which did not allow the current 24 hours of operation.

The Licensing officer further advised the Committee that there had been a number of representations received from interested parties.   Concerns were raised in relation to the premises being used for a number of raves in 2007.

There were no questions asked of the Licensing Officer.

The Committee received representations from two local residents who were concerned about anti-social behaviour in Bruce Grove and that the sale of alcohol available for longer hours would make matters worse.  Bruce Grove was a predominantly residential area and there had recently been a number of incidents of loud music, urinating and leaving rubbish in the streets, drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.   Further concern was raised regarding the admittance of non-members to the club and the posting of advertisements outside the club offering drinks at £1.50. 

The Licensing Officer clarified for the benefit of the Committee that the licence at the premises was a Premises Licence and not a Club Premises Licence.  The Licence was converted but not to a strict members only Club Licence.

The applicant’s representative address the Committee and informed Members that the Edge Club had been owned and operated by the applicant for ten years.  The opening hours of the club were for 24 hours.  A meeting had taken place with the local police to discuss an application for a 24 hours alcohol licence and that on their advice it was appropriate to apply for a licence until 3:00am.  Club Members attended the Edge Club until the early hours of the morning but were restricted to buying drinks until 10:00pm.

The legal officer questioned the applicant in relation to illegal raves during the summer of 2007.  In response the applicant stated he was not aware of a rave during the summer 2007, however there was an incident in December 2006, whilst he was abroad on holiday.  The temporary manager, in the owners absence, allowed a rave to take place in the car park.  Such incidents had not happened since.  The applicant was asked to clarify the issue of the posters and in response advised that the club had 1040 members, the posters were billed for those members who had not attended the club for the last twelve months.  One of the day managers had thought it was a good idea and considered it would be a cheap way to invite members back to the club.

The licensing officer informed the Committee that the Authority was aware of the premises being used for raves.  At the time the noise team had visited and the applicant had not been in attendance, a warning was issued to the licensee.  The problems and issues ceased.

In summary the applicant stated that the premises would be open for 24 hours a day.  The difference would be whether patrons would have the opportunity to buy alcohol or a soft drink after 10:00pm.

RESOLVED

The Special Licensing Sub Committee A (the Committee) having considered all of the representations submitted at the hearing, had decided to grant the application as requested together with all the current conditions on the Licence. 

INFORMATIVE:

The Committee had noted that there had been breaches of the current licence, in particular the publishing and display of external advertisement of the availability of alcohol within the premises and that there had been supply of alcohol at a time when the designated supervisor had been on holiday without leaving a replacement holding personal licence.

INFORMATIVE:

The applicant is reminded that further breaches could result in a review of the review of the premises licence or enforcement action.  The Committee would like to remind the applicant that all conditions on the licence must be complied with.

INFORMATIVE:

The applicant is advised to familiarise himself with the licence and its conditions and to train other members of his staff accordingly.

In reaching this decision the Committee took into account the residents objections and responses given by the applicant and were satisfied that the issues relating to noise nuisance had been address.