Agenda item

To consider an application for a new premises licence.

Presentation by the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Team Leader, informed the Sub-Committee that:

• The options available to Members were outlined . Members questioned the timings for the supply of alcohol, particularly the 11am – 10pm on Monday timing. It was clarified that the timing for openings would not allow for any stop and start of opening hours.

Presentation by the applicant

Mr Robert Edge and Ms Marilyn Nwokemodo, representatives for the applicant, informed the Sub Committee that:

• The applicant had given due regard to all representations received by the Council, the Council’s Licensing team and Licensing regulations.
  
  
• It was explained that the venue would be a restaurant with an approximate capacity of 16.
  
  
• The applicant explained that they would work with the local community and suggested conditions that would help support the licensing objectives and the community. They recognised that the area was residential, and explained that the application was sensitive to that.
  
  
• It was explained that there were no significant objections from responsible authorities towards the application.

Questions to applicant

• It was noted, following questions from the Sub-Committee, that there had been three objectors to the application.
  
  
• It was explained by the applicant that the applicant would be utilising the premises to serve predominantly West African food, and that there was not and expectation that the premises would be catering to large numbers of people, due to the size of the premises.
  
  
• It was explained that the serving of alcohol would be undertaken as part of the service of food and would not be available as a bar service.
  
  
• It was stressed by the applicant that the use of music on the premises would be used to provide background music for the restaurant, and not be a central aspect of the application.
  
  
• The applicant explained that there had been some evidence of anti-social behaviour in the area, but it was explained that the opening of a restaurant was not considered to be an additional factor to anti-social behaviour. It was also noted that the applicant would be installing a network of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems before the commencement of trading to help deter anti-social behaviour. 
  
  
• The applicant explained their experience of working in the hospitality business and their businesses in other areas.
  
  

Presentation by objectors:

Objectors were not in attendance and did not give evidence.

Summary

Applicant:

• It was suggested by the applicant that the proposed premises would create local employment and services.

Following all presentations, the Licensing Sub Committee carefully considered the application for a new premises licence for De Mamas Kitchen Woodgreen at 24-26 Commerce Road, Wood Green, London N22 8ED. 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 Guidance, the report pack and the applicant’s and objectors’ representations. Having carefully considered the application and heard from all the parties, the Sub Committee decided to GRANT the application for the hours and subject to the conditions.

Hours Granted 

Regulated Entertainment 

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 to 22:00 hours 

Sunday: 12:00 to 22:00 hours 

Sale of Alcohol 

Monday to Saturday: 11:00 to 22:00 hours 

Sunday: 12:00 to 22:00 hours 

Supply of alcohol ON and OFF the premises. 

Hours Open to the Public 

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 to 23:00 hours 

Sunday: 12:00 to 23:00 hours 

Reasons 

The premises is situated on a parade of retail premises with flats above on the north side of Commerce Road, which is predominantly residential. There is a premises on the parade already licensed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises with later hours than applied for by this application. 

Responsible Authorities 

The Local Authority Noise Team had no objection to the licence being granted subject to the following condition for the protection of children: 

• The licensee shall keep a register of refused sales of all age-restricted products (Refusals Book). 

• The Refusals Book shall be examined regularly by the Licensee, with the date and time of each examination recorded. 

• The Refusals Book shall be kept on the licensed premises and made available for inspection by the Licensing Officer, Trading Standards, or the Police. 

The Police similarly had no objection provided further conditions were applied, as set out in the Agenda Pack. The Applicant agreed to those conditions and undertook to ensure one CCTV camera covered the area immediately outside the premises. 

Objections 

Three individuals objected, one of whom manages the off-licence on the parade, although none attended the hearing. 

They expressed concern about increased alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour if a licence were granted, and one objector alleged loud music from the venue. 

Applicant 

The Applicant’s representative responded to the objections and offered further conditions as set out in the report pack. 

At the Hearing 

Prior to the hearing the Panel had read the report pack including the application, representations and proposed conditions. 

The Applicant confirmed alcohol consumed on the premises would only be served with meals. 

The Applicant acknowledged concerns regarding loitering outside the premises and confirmed steps would be taken to disperse any such persons. 

The Panel carefully considered the representations and concluded that any concerns relating to the licensing objectives could be addressed through licence conditions. 

The Panel resolved to grant the licence for the hours sought, subject to the application conditions, Police and Noise Team conditions, and the following additional conditions: 

1. The licence shall take effect only following submission by the applicant and acceptance by the Council of an appropriate dispersal policy. 

2. One CCTV camera shall be positioned to cover the exit from and area immediately outside the front of the premises.