Issue - meetings

To consider an application to allow Provision of Regulated Entertainment, Provision of Late Night Refreshment and Supply of Alcohol at the premises.

The Licensing Officer, Dale Barrett, presented the report on an application for a premises licence variation at La Barca, 685 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 8AD. It was reported that representations had been received from the Police, which had been withdrawn following agreement by the applicant to the conditions recommended, and also from the Noise Team. A letter of representation received from an interested party had been withdrawn and was therefore not considered at the hearing. A letter received in respect of Building Control issues was for the attention of the applicant, but did not constitute a formal representation for the consideration of the Committee. The Committee noted that the Restaurant Condition on the existing licence was to be carried over to the new licence, if granted, and would require alcohol to be sold only as ancillary to table meals.

Derek Pearce, Enforcement Response Team Leader, reported that the noise team representation focussed on the risk of nuisance resulting from Regulated Entertainment at the premises, particularly given the structure of the premises and the large windows at the front. Mr Pearce reported that, following discussion with the applicant’s representative, it had been agreed that a number of the conditions put forward by the noise team could be withdrawn as not being appropriate in respect of this particular application. It was reported that the applicant’s representative had offered an additional condition that any live music would cease at 0000. The Committee was advised that they should consider the representations regarding how the premises would operate in determining whether they felt that conditions in respect of a lobbied entrance and SIA-registered door supervisors would be appropriate in the context of this application, and would also need to consider the operating hours they felt would be reasonable, given the other conditions put forward to address the issue of noise nuisance.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Pearce advised that the premises was not an ideal location for Regulated Entertainment due to the design and structure of the premises. It was felt that a noise limiter would go a long way to reduce the risk of noise nuisance, however this would need to be monitored by the licensee and it would also be necessary to ensure that the system was not circumvented. The Committee asked about the suggested condition regarding appropriate delivery times, in response to which Mr Pearce suggested that there could be a degree of flexibility around this and that it would be for the Committee to make a decision on what they felt would be acceptable. In response to questions from the applicant’s representative, Mr Pearce  reported that the main concern of the noise team was noise breakout, and that it should be possible for the licensing objectives to be upheld if a noise limiter were appropriately installed and operated, although it was noted that this might result in the music having to be set at a relatively low volume.

The applicant’s representative, David Dadds, addressed the Committee.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5