Agenda item

To consider an application by Admiral Taverns (58) Ltd to allow the Provision of Regulated Entertainment and Supply of Alcohol.

Dale Barrett, Licensing Officer, presented the report on an application for a premises licence variation at The Dutch House, 148-150 High Road, Tottenham N15 6UJ. The Committee was advised that some mediation had been agreed; further to the representation made by the Police, a condition requiring a minimum of 2 SIA registered door staff from 10pm until closing on Friday and Saturday nights had been agreed. The applicant had withdrawn their request for variation of the hours for Regulated Entertainment completely, and for variation of opening hours and Supply of Alcohol, Sunday to Thursday. For Friday and Saturday, the variation applied for was for Supply of Alcohol until 2am, and opening hours until 2.30am. In light of this, the representation made by Environmental Health had been withdrawn. The proposed operating schedule was set out in the report, and the only additional condition now proposed was that in respect of door supervision on Fridays and Saturdays. A letter of representation had also been received from a local resident in respect of noise nuisance emanating from the premises.

Collette Phillips, Admiral Taverns, addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant. It was reported that the variation was sought in order to give the business a chance to survive in the current economic climate. Ms Phillips confirmed that the variation sought was only for Fridays and Saturdays, with supply of alcohol to 2am and opening hours to 2.30am. There was no proposed variation in respect of Regulated Entertainment. With regards to the representation from the Police, CCTV was already installed at the premises, and a condition had been agreed regarding door supervision from 10pm until close on Fridays and Saturdays. The amendment to the application meant that the Environmental Health representation had also been withdrawn.

Ms Phillips reported that the intention was not to attract new customers to the premises but to increase revenue from existing customers, by enabling them to stay for longer in response to an existing demand. The site was described as well-run by a trusted tenant, there was no record of disorder, and the variation sought was not in order to change the nature of the premises in any way. In light of the amendment of the application to affect weekends only, it was not felt that additional licensing requirements were necessary. The nearest licensed premises was already open until 2am, and therefore this application would have no impact on other local premises. Ms Phillips reported that this was a proportionate and sensible application, and that if there were any failing in respect of the licensing objectives, this variation could be reversed. The Committee was asked to grant the application.

In response to a question from the Committee, Ms Phillips reported that the nature of Regulated Entertainment at the premises was karaoke. The Committee asked about door supervision currently, and it was reported that there were no door supervisors currently employed.

In summing up, Ms Barrett asked the Committee to take into account the representations made by the local resident in their letter, as they had not attended the hearing to present their views in person.

The Committee withdrew to deliberate.

RESOLVED

The Committee carefully considered the application, all representations, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Section 182 guidance. The Committee decided to grant the application on the following terms:

The only change to the hours for the current premises licence endorsed by the Committee were as follows:

Supply of Alcohol

Friday and Saturday:            1100 to 0200

Opening hours

Friday and Saturday:            1100 to 0230

The Committee noted that the applicant agreed to the conditions as set out by the Metropolitan Police, except for the need for door supervision every night from 10pm; the Committee felt that it was only necessary and proportionate for a minimum of two SIA-approve door staff to be required or to be employed on Friday and Saturday from 10pm until the venue closes.

It was noted that the representations by the noise team no longer apply, because the applicant agreed to withdraw their request for an extension of hours for Regulated Entertainment and for an extension of opening hours, Sunday to Thursday. 

The Committee noted the objection by a local resident regarding excessive noise emanating from the premises, and felt that the applicant should be careful to ensure that the doors to the premises are kept closed where possible, and not wedged open.