Agenda item

To consider an application for a New Premises Licence - Sweet Peppa, 614 Lordship Lane, Wood Green, London N22 5JH

Ms Daliah Barrett, Licensing Team Leader, introduced the report as set out and informed the Sub-Committee that:

-       The application sought the Supply of Alcohol Monday to Thursday 12:00 to 22:30 and Sunday and Bank Holidays 12:00 to 21:30

-       The application also sought supply of alcohol ON and OFFthe premises.

-       In relation to the Licence, the applicant had agreed to continue on with the hours that are already on the planning.

-       There had been a 28 day consultation, the noise officer had made a representation. Police had accepted the conditions put forward in the application. Planning RA also made a representation which has now been withdrawn. There had been two resident applications, the applicant had tried to engage with them via the licensing authority to no avail.

-       There was a small park nearby, the premises has operated as a West Indian takeaway and had not had an alcohol licence issued previously. Page 25-27 details the representations which had been submitted by residents, these mainly regarded the potential for anti-social behaviour.

-       There have been existing issues with street drinking, extending over to the park area.

 

In response to questions, Ms Barrett informed the Sub-Committee that:

-       There was a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in 11 wards in Haringey which specifically regarded alcohol. This meant that if you were consuming alcohol in the street antisocially, and you were asked to stop by a police officer you could be fined. Those would be operating until October with a renewal which would follow. Haringey has been targeted due to ongoing street drinking issues.

-       The application was for takeaway on and off the premises. The government were going to stop regulatory easement, this allowed pubs and bars to serve customers off premises, through thatched doors or open windows for example. This has now changed and the policy would remain the same.

 

Ms Rachel Powell (applicant) informed the sub-committee that:

-       The main purpose of the application was to enhance the customer experience, in turn this would also increase profits to the business. The applicant had been proactive and had contacted the police and noise representation. It was explained that the people outside of the shop on the street were stopping business for the applicant, they often deterred customers. The applicant had asked them to move several times with no success.

 

In response to questions, Ms Powell informed the Sub-Committee that:

-       Customers would generally have one drink per meal, due to the nature of the drinks provided. There would be Challenge 25 in place for any customer purchasing alcohol, any orders completed online would also have this. There have been conditions offered that would address how the applicant would operate the business.

-       The premises has history but not so much alcohol related. There was an ASB related under the previous occupants. The Licensing Officer did not have specific details.

-       There were concerns raised from residents regarding the few tables in the restaurant, this could lead to people spilling out onto the street. The applicant stated her customers did not behave like that, also noting she had never had a full restaurant. If there was no room to sit down, there was a takeaway option. Tables were mainly provided for lunchtime meals.

-       There were concerns raised which regarded the close proxemics of the restaurant to schools and Chapman Green, the applicant reiterated there would be Challenge 25 in place and ID checks when purchasing any alcohol.

-       For off licence sales, customers would be permitted to use a foam cup. This would be sealed.

-       The applicant was happy for a phone number and email address for resident complaints to be listed as a condition.

-       There would be no restriction to the amount of alcoholic drinks customers purchase.  Guinness punch and rum slush would be the alcohol sold. Most of the customers would take their food home; Customers do not congregate outside of the shop.

-       The price of alcoholic drinks had not been set yet.

-       The applicant did not have experience running a licensed premises but had worked in bars.

 

The Chair asked all parties present to sum up.

 

The Committee retired to consider the application, and informed all parties present that the decision would be provided in writing following the meeting.

 

RESOLVED

 

The Licensing Sub Committee carefully considered the application for a new premises licence for Sweet Peppa -  614 Lordship Lane, Wood Green, London N22 5JH (“the Premises”). In considering the application, the Committee took account of the London Borough of Haringey’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Act 2003 section 182 Guidance, the report pack and the applicants and objectors written representations.

 

Having considered the application and heard from all the parties, the Committee decided to grant the application for a new premises licence with the conditions set out below.

 

Operating times:

 

            Supply of Alcohol

 

Monday to Saturday                                    12:00 to 22:30 hours

 

Sundays and bank holidays                      12:00 to 22:00 hours

 

The following conditions are imposed:

 

1. Any alcoholic drinks taken from the premises must be in closed or wrapped/sealed containers, bottles, cups etc.

 

2. All staff involved in the sale of alcohol shall receive induction and refresher training (at least every three months) relating to the sale of alcohol and the times and conditions of the premises licence.

 

3. All staff shall receive induction and refresher training in relation to crime prevention.

 

4. All training relating to the sale of alcohol and the times and conditions of the premises licence shall be documented and records kept at the premises. These records shall be made available to the Police and/or Local Authority upon request and shall be kept for at least one year.

 

5. A ‘Think 25’ proof of age scheme shall be operated and relevant material shall be displayed prominently within the Premises – including in a visible location: (a) At the entrance to the Premises; ;(b) behind the bar/counter (c) In any other area where alcohol can be purchased by a customer.

 

6. A written record of refused sales shall be kept on the premises and completed when necessary. This record shall be made available to Police and/or the Local Authority upon request and shall be kept for at least one year from the date of the last entry.

 

7. The premises licence holder shall ensure that the area immediately outside the premises is kept clean and free from related litter at all material times to the satisfaction of the Licensing Authority.

 

8. Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.

 

9. The licence holder shall provide residents with a contact telephone number and email address that residents can call to raise any concerns.

 

Reasons

 

The Committee gave serious consideration to both the submissions by the applicant and to the concerns raised by the objectors. The Committee was satisfied that the licence should be granted and that the above conditions were appropriate and proportionate and would ensure that the licensing objectives were promoted.

 

The premises are in close proximity to residential premises. The Committee were keen to ensure that nuisance was not caused to nearby residents by noise from the premises and/or from its customers congregating outside of the premises.  They also had regard to the potential for customers leaving the premises to engage in anti-social behaviour in the vicinity causing nuisance to the residents. Appropriate conditions therefore have been added to the licence to promote the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance. The Committee also had in mind the Public Space Protection order that is in place in the Woodside ward.

 

The Committee noted that the objectors had concerns about children in the vicinity and that there was a park located close to the premises.  

 

The Committee had regard to the fact that children would need to sleep in the early evenings and the potential for residents to be disturbed at night.  The Committee had regard to the fact that the applicant had agreed to reduced hours when alcohol would be served at the premises since the application had been submitted.  The Committee found the applicant’s account and assurances regarding the measures she would take to ensure that people under the legal drinking age would not be served alcohol credible.  The Committee agreed that the conditions imposed and the steps that the Defendant assured the committee she would take (e.g. asking anybody who looked under the age of 25 to provide evidence of their identity, being vigilant of customers who had an excessive number of drinks, providing details for contact for residents that have any concerns) promote the licensing objectives of the Protection of Children from harm and the prevention of public nuisance. 

 

Appeal Rights

 

This decision is open to appeal to the Magistrates Court within the period of 21 days beginning on the day upon which the appellant is notified of the decision. This decision does not take effect until the end of the appeal period or, in the event that an appeal has been lodged, until the appeal is dispensed with.

 

Informative

The Committee notes that before the applicant can serve alcohol on the premises the applicant will need to obtain the relevant personal licence and will be subject to appropriate conditions if the licence is granted.   The Committee recommends that the licence holder resolves this issue with the relevant authority.