Issue - meetings

To consider an application to vary the Supply of Alcohol, Provision of Regulated Entertainment, Live Music, Recorded Music, the Provision of Late Night Refreshment.

Daliah Barrett introduced the application for a variation to the existing premises licence at The Harringay Arms, as set out in the agenda pack.  Representations had been made by a number of Interested Parties (details as set out in the agenda pack), and some of these were in attendance at the hearing.  No representations had been made by any of the Responsible Authorities.

Ms Barrett informed the Committee that from the 1 October 2012, the provision of live music was no longer a licensable activity between the hours of 0800-2300 hours.

In response to Councillor Beacham, Ms Barrett confirmed the opening hours of neighbouring pubs as follows:

Devonshire House                Sunday – Thursday               0800-0030

                                                Friday – Saturday                 0800-0130

Kings Head                            Monday – Saturday               1000-0230

                                                Sunday                                   1000-0130

Railway Tavern                      Sunday – Wednesday          1000-0030

                                                Thursday – Saturday 1000-0130

Mr Gregoire Webber – Interested Party – outlined his representation against the application.  There were two pubs close to his home – The Harringay Arms and Devonshire House – and local residents already experienced a significant amount of noise disturbance.  Extending the opening hours of the Harringay Arms would allow the premises to stay open for 90 minutes more than Devonshire House, and was likely to encourage those leaving Devonshire House at closing time to continue drinking in the Harringay Arms, rather than making their way home.  He was concerned that the full hour requested for ‘drinking-up’ time would encourage binge drinking.

Crouch Hill was a narrow street with tall buildings, meaning that noise was trapped easily.  The noise was a particular disturbance in the summer, when most residents had their windows open.

Mr Webber explained that access to the flats where he lived was via an alleyway opposite The Harringay Arms.  He had experienced finding people drinking and smoking there, sometimes some disorderly conduct.  It was not the safest environment for people to access their homes.

Mr Webber added that he was sorry not to support a local business, but he felt that allowing the premises to open later would only exacerbate existing nuisance issues.

Sian Renfrey – Interested Party – outline her representation against the application.  There were concerns of safety for local residents – last week, one of her neighbours had to have stitches in his hand after picking up a broken bottle from the access way to the flats.  The pavements were very narrow, and walking past people drinking outside a pub could be very uncomfortable.

In response to the application where the applicant had stated that taxis would be called for customers, Ms Renfrey explained that this would cause further issues, as Crouch Hill was a narrow road – any taxis which stopped to collect people ended up blocking the road, which then created extra noise and disturbance.

An increase in hours would not improve the quality of life for local residents.  Ms Renfrey added that the applicant should demonstrate management of the current situation before he was allowed more hours.

Mr Webber and Ms Renfrey provided the following responses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12