Agenda item

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

(Agenda Item 9)

              The Licensing Manager, Ms Daliah Barrett, presented the Report on the application, highlighting the applicants had listed in their original application, measures to uphold the four licensing objectives of the Licensing Act 2003. Ms Barrett stated that there were no representations from interested parties. Ms Barrett then gave details about comments received by the MPS in respect of the application. The Committee were told that the MPS, in conjunction with licensees who run Public Houses in and around Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC), have for the past four seasons run an anti-hooligan initiative called Tackling Trouble Together (TTT).  This scheme has resulted in a reduction of reported violent crime. The MPS now wished to formalise the previously voluntary conditions and made the following recommendations for conditions to any Premises Licence for compliance on football match days that the Committee were minded to grant.

1.             Premises not to open for the sale of alcohol before 11.00 on Saturday and Sunday.

2.             All drinks dispensed from the bar are poured into plastic containers - 4 hours before the scheduled kick-off time until 1 hour after the end of the match.

3.             No glass bottles are sold over the bar - 4 hours before the scheduled kick-off time until 1 hour after the end of the match

4.             A minimum of two Door Staff who have been approved by the Security Industry Authority to be employee on the premises to control the entry and exit of customers - 4 hours before the scheduled kick-off time until 1 hour after the end of the match.

The Committee also noted that the MPS had recommended that on Friday and Saturday evenings, door staff who have been approved by the Security Industry Authority be employed on the premises to control the entry and exit of customers.  Alternatively the doors are closed for entry to the public at midnight on these days. In reference the MPS recommendations, the Chair sought clarity from the Haringey Legal Services. It was established that advice from the Magistrates Courts was that premises in the defined vicinity of the THFC were only permitted to open at 11:00am on Saturday match days.

The Chair invited the applicants to address the Committee. The applicants began by covering the four recommendations for conditions of the MPS and asked them if this was a blanket policy. The MPS responded that this was the case. The applicant stated that he had applied for a 10:00am opening hours to provide flexibility for when match days kicked-off before 14:00 when he would want to open earlier in order to settle customers and contain them in a controlled manner until the match began. This was entrenched by a tried and tested entry policy which the licensees had been using. The applicants accepted the three other recommended conditions (ie, the use plastic glasses, no glass bottles, and SIA door supervisors) outlined by the MPS.

The Chair invited the MPS to address the Committee. The MPS gave a statement on the history of match day related problems and measures to tackle these including the TTT and partnership agreements with Haringey Council to create a designated “drinking zone” enforced on match days. The MPS highlighted their concerns and risk assessments on football fans congregating outside of the premises to see players enter the grounds.

The applicants indicated that they would be prepared to open at 11:00 only when there was a volatile football match held at the THFC grounds. However, the MPS reemphasised that the 11:00am opening time would be a blanket time for all licensed premises in the defined vicinity of THFC.

The Chair clarified that the Section 77 of the Licensing Act 1964 “Special Hours Certificate” possessed by the applicants remained valid to the licensees who would allow the premises to remain open late with regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol to cease an hour before closing times.

              RESOLVED

              The Committee agreed to grant the application 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)              All recommendations of the MPS are imposed as conditions; that there are no alcohol sales before 1100hours Monday to Sunday.

(v)                Agreed to lift the restrictions imposed by the 1964 Licensing Act

(vi)              To agree to the additional hours as applied for in the terms of closing/finishing times.

(vii)            For a designated premises supervisor to join the Pub Watch scheme.