Agenda item

To consider an application for a conversion and variation of a Premises Licence.

(Agenda Item 6)

The Licensing Manager, Ms Daliah Barrett, presented the Report on the application, highlighting that the applicants had applied for a provision of miscellaneous entertainment. Ms Barrett also indicated that the applicants had offered no additional steps in respect of the four licensing objectives. Ms Barrett also drew the Committee’s attention the renewal of Justices' Licence that the applicant possessed which had a number of conditions relating to restriction of the sale of alcohol. A full outline of this license was presented to the Committee. The application had no representations from the responsible authorities, and had received two letters of objections who were not present at the hearing.

Councillor Reynolds asked Ms Barrett to clarify the reference to planning consent that the two objectors had highlighted. Ms Barrett responded that there had been no response from the Haringey Planning Team in respect of the application, despite having been informed about it in the usual way.

The Chair invited the applicants to address the Committee and to respond directly to the comments made by the objectors. The applicants stated that they took the concerns of local residents very seriously. They continued that the application was to ensure that functions on Friday and Saturday nights were the main priority, and that the applied for hours were not significantly different. They had received no complaints from residents previously and had, in their opinion, enjoyed a healthy relationship with neighbours to the premises. There was signage in the premises to respect the peace of the local residents and door supervisors ensured there was no public nuisance. The Chair asked the applicants to clarify that they had not applied for late night refreshments. The applicants stated that beverages would be sold until 01:00 (Friday and Saturday), and that buffets will only be consumed before 22:00. The sale of food did not occur at the premises and was not applied for.

The Chair referred the applicants to page 8 of their application which made reference to allow accompanied children under 16 to be permitted in the bar. The applicants clarified that this referred to all private functions and would be in accordance with the laws which restrict the sale and supply of alcohol to children. They also informed the Committee that signage in the premises highlighted that children should never be unaccompanied anywhere on the premises. CCTV coverage helped to enforce this.

Councillor Beacham asked how many private functions were held, on average, per month. The response was that an average of 4/5 private functions were held, mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The applicants were asked to clarify their understanding of the planning consents that were necessary to operate lawfully as licensed premises. The applicants confirmed that they would apply for all necessary planning consents for the variations they were apply for by this Committee. The Chair asked for clarity on the applied for miscellaneous entertainment. The applicants responded that this would include comedy entertainment, charity functions and some gambling, in the form of “Race Nights”. The Chair informed the applicants that the term “miscellaneous entertainment” was too vague, and that a clearer definition was needed.

In summary, the applicants confirmed that they wanted to vary their hours for the sale of alcohol to 01:00, and to allow for an automatic right to hold private functions. They would respect local residents concerns because the management at the premises were vigilant and would use the new hours responsibly.

              RESOLVED

              That the Committee has decided to grant the application in full and subject to the following conditions:

(i)                 Standard mandatory conditions apply (19 and 21).

(ii)               Impose the recommendations of the CPA on age restrictions.

(iii)             Conditions to enforce the operating schedule.

(iv)              Door supervisors accredited by the SIA at the entrance and exist to the grounds of the sports centre at all late night events.

(v)                A restriction of five per year, events providing miscellaneous entertainment. For these events, 72 hours advance notice should be given to the MPS.

There was an informative that the licensee could not operate lawfully until he had obtained planning consent to match the licensing hours.