Issue - meetings

To consider an application for the Provision of Late Night Refreshment.

The Licensing Officer, Ms Dale Barrett, reported on an application for a new premises licence at Mizgin Restaurant, for the provision of late night refreshment. Representations had been received from the Noise Team and two interested parties objecting to the application on the basis of the premises’ history of non-compliance with licensing conditions, and outstanding issues relating to public nuisance. Ms Barrett advised the Committee that the application was being submitted by a new applicant, but that the previous licensee at the premises was still involved in the management of the business.

In response to a question from the Committee, the Licensing Officer confirmed that overall responsibility for the running of the business, including issues such as equipment maintenance, would rest with the leaseholder of the premises, who was the previous licensee.

Mr Eubert Malcolm, Enforcement Response Officer, presented his representation on the application, which outlined concerns relating to the previous licensee’s continued involvement in the business,  the licensing history at the premises and the outstanding issues relating to the modification of the extract ventilation system at the premises. In response to questions from the Committee, the Enforcement Officer confirmed that the conditions imposed by the Magistrates on the previous licence, relating to the upgrading of the extract ventilation system, had not been complied with to date.

Mr Ian Sygrave, Chair of the Harringay Ladder Community Safety Partnership, presented his objection to the application and stated that he was also representing the views of a local resident who had submitted a representation but was unable to attend the hearing. Mr Sygrave reported on the history of late night noise and nuisance at the premises, and the history of enforcement action taken against the licensee, and expressed concern that similar occurrences would happen again if a licence were to be granted, as management of the premises had not changed significantly. Mr Sygrave added that the premises was still in breach of the conditions on its previous licence, and asked the Committee to reject the application in order to promote the licensing objectives.

The applicant, Mr Cuma Ates, introduced himself as part owner of the premises, as well as new night manager with responsibility of running the business after 8pm. Mr Ates reported that he was working to upgrade the extraction system and that a company had been engaged to carry out sound readings although, due to the Christmas break, these were not yet available. The applicant understood residents’ concerns, but reported that he was committed to improving the noise issues relating to the extraction system and that he would comply with all the recommendations made by the Council. Mr Ates added that the concerns raised related to the way in which the business had been run previously, but that he would work to ensure that the same issues were not repeated if a new licence were granted and that, since he had been involved in the business, there had been no complaints other than that referred to in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7