Issue - meetings

Application for a Variation of a Premises Licence at Allora Hall, 2 Park Road, London N8

Meeting: 01/04/2021 - Special Licensing Sub Committee (Item 5)

5 Application for a Variation of a Premises Licence at Allora Hall, 2 Park Road, London N8 pdf icon PDF 347 KB

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Minutes:

Daliah Barrett, Licensing Officer, introduced the report, as set out in the agenda. The Committee considered an application for a variation of a Premises Licence at Allora Hall, 2 Park Road, N8.

 

The Committee were referred to the agenda pack and it was noted that Albion & East had applied to vary the licence to request an increase in operating times for both AM and PM. The PM requested hours had subsequently been withdrawn by the applicant. The variations to the licence put forward were:

  • For an increase in operating hours from 10am on a Saturday and Sunday morning.
  • A change to layout of the premises.
  • The removal of a condition for alcohol to only be ancillary to food in the final hour.

 

The Committee noted that the previous licence holders Monkey Nuts was a restaurant and therefore had no concerns with meeting such a condition. Albion & East operated the premises as a cocktail bar under the licence and so would not be a food led operation and sought the removal of this condition.

 

The agent for the applicant, Mr Craig Baylis addressed the Committee and advised them Albion & East wished to extend the hours of operation in order to match the other venues in their portfolio, which were open until 1am on a weekend. However, in light of concerns by local residents, the applicant was happy to withdraw this request with the understanding that they may apply for an extension at a later date. It was hoped that this would give the residents an opportunity to get to know the new owners and see how well the site was managed. The applicant wished to extend the hours of operation in the morning to from 10am at weekends in order to facilitate offering brunches. This was a significant part of their business model.

 

Mr Baylis advised that describing the venue as a cocktail bar was not necessarily accurate as the business’ takings were made up of  approximately 50% from food and 50% on drinks. The accuracy of describing the previous premises as a restaurant, rather than a bar, was also questioned.

 

Mr Baylis set out that, due to a historical anomaly from licenses granted pre 2005, some premises were able to carry on selling alcohol for an another hour until midnight, if they had tables out. The applicant was seeking to remedy this anomaly with the removal of a condition for alcohol to only be ancillary to food in the final hour. The applicant was happy to offer a condition that substantial food would be on offer at all times.

 

The Committee queried whether there would be any provision for outdoor seating. In response, Ms Barrett advised that the previous owners used to have tables and chairs outside, under the London Local Authorities Act 2012. The new owners would need to make an application for a new pavement licence if they wished to have outdoor seating. The Committee was advised that the Secretary of State for MHCLG had been vocal in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5