Agenda and decisions

The Licensing Sub-Committee in considering this decision from the information presented to it within the report and at the hearing today has determined that having regard to the promotion of all the licensing objectives:

·  The prevention of crime and disorder;

·  Public safety;

·  Prevention of public nuisance;

·  The protection of children from harm;

the application to vary a premises licence has been refused in accordance with Licensing Policies LP1, LP2, LP3 within the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Reasons for the decision

The Licensing Sub-Committee, having heard from the Responsible Authorities (the Licensing Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service) believed that granting the application to vary the premises licence and to extend the hours of Late Night Refreshment will result in the licensing objectives being undermined and will have a negative impact on the area.

The Sub-committee took into consideration that there were objections to the application from the Licensing Authority, and the Metropolitan Police Service (“the Police”). The Sub-committee also noted that there were no representations from local residents in the area, and no objections from the other Responsible Authorities.

The Sub-committee took into account that the Licensing Authority made representations on the grounds of public nuisance, and the Police objections on the grounds of crime and disorder and public nuisance.

The Sub-committee took into consideration the Applicant’s representations that there was new management at the premises from the end of January /beginning of February 2023, and they were looking to extend the hours of the premises on Thursday to Saturday until 04:00. The current management explained that they were not the management at the time that the current premises licence holder was operating the premises, and when the alleged breaches of conditions took place.

The Sub-committee heard an allegation that on the 11th March only two staff were operating the premises, and there was no security employed in accordance with the conditions of the premises licence.

The Sub-committee heard that on the 11th March 2023, the Police confirmed that it was three months since any complaints had been made. The Sub-committee heard that the premises licence holder has handed over the licence to the new management. The Police alleged that the operating hours were in breach of the premises licence. 

The Sub-committee heard allegations that the premises were still open after 01:00 on 18th of February. The Sub-committee took into consideration the concerns about the premises raised by the Police in relation to the current premises licence holder, and how they were operating the premises and the complaints received. The Sub-committee took into account the complaints received by the Police on the 26th February and the 11th March again on both occasions they were alleged to be operating after 01:00.

The Sub-committee heard representations from the Licensing Authority about allegations of non-compliances. The Sub-committee took into consideration that the current management of the premises have no track record of operating the premises, and there are no exceptional circumstances or additional factors that could be taken into consideration. The Licensing  ...  view the full decision text for item 8.