Agenda item

To consider an application for a conversion and variation of a premises licence

THE MAYNARD ARMS, 70 Park Road N8 (Muswell Hill ward) (Agenda Item 8)

              Greene King Brewing and Retailing Ltd had applied for a conversion and variation of the premises licence for the Maynard Arms pub.

              The applicant wished the closing times of the pub to be 23:40 from Sunday to Thursday and 0:40 on Friday and Saturday.

The applicant also wished to open for one extra hour on stated days (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Spring & August Bank Holidays, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, St. Patrick’s Day and St. George’s Day) and on other bank holidays as well as the day before and the day after a bank holiday.

In addition, the applicant was requesting permission for the provision of regulated entertainment, in the form of live music.

The Licensing Officer informed the Committee that no representations had been made by the Metropolitan Police or by enforcement services. The comment of the Child Protection Agency was that, to prevent minors from purchasing alcohol, proof of age be required in certain specified forms.

Mr Denby-Ward, the author of the letter of objection received, outlined his objections to the application on the grounds of noise nuisance for which the Noise Pollution Officer had been called out in 1993. In addition, concerns were expressed about the loutish behaviour of some clients of the pub.

Other objectors stated that they had not been made aware of the application and would have written letters of objection within the required timescale if they had been aware.

The Licensing Officer informed those in attendance that legislation did not require the Council to write to those living near the premises for which a licence application had been received. The legislation mandated that five copies of a notice of the application be posted in and around the premises concerned. The Area Manager for Greene King informed the Committee this instruction had been complied with. 

In order to meet concerns about noise, the applicant stated that the £200,000 refurbishment of the premises which had been undertaken would reduce noise. The installation of an air conditioning system would ensure that people did not need to open doors and windows for ventilation and so the noise emitted would be reduced.

As part of the rebranding and refurbishing of the pub, it was to become a ‘gastro-pub’. The applicant stated that she believed this would deter some former clients who may have been engaging in anti-social behaviour and it would also mean that the music would not be that loud.

The Greene King representative informed the Committee that the intention was that the live music was to cease at 11 p.m. and the outside areas of the pub were to be vacated at that same time. This would reduce noise emitted from that time onwards.

The live music provided would be in the form of jazz bands and other similar performances. The applicant did not intend to provide this entertainment frequently and suggested that it would take place no more than a few times per month.

              RESOLVED

              The Licensing Authority has considered the application for a conversion and variation of a Premises Licence and has decided to grant it subject to the following conditions:

·        (i) That the Child Protection Agency’s recommendations be followed

·        (ii) That the mandatory conditions under Section 19 of the Licensing Act 2003 be complied with

·        (iii) That the provisions of the operating schedule be enforced

·        (iv) That live music performances be limited to a maximum of 2 nights per week

·        (v) That external areas not be used for the carrying on of licensable activities after 11 p.m. on each and every night of the week.

·        (vi) On Christmas Day, the premises is not to be open for the carrying on of licensable activities after 5 p.m.

·        (vi) With regard to the application contained in the operating schedule Boxes E, F, H, L, M and O for 1 extra hour on named days, including bank holidays, the request to be open for 1 extra hour on the day after a bank holiday is refused.

·        (vii) Regulated entertainment permitted in this licence does not extend to entertainment provided by a DJ or by karaoke activities.