Agenda item

Report of the Director of Service Delivery.

Those attending were introduced, and the Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee welcomed all parties to the hearing and detailed the procedure for the hearing.

The Specialist Advisor for Licensing, Dean Love, presented the report to the Sub-Committee and summarised the details.  The Representor had declined to attend the hearing.

The Applicant and his Representatives, Ms Christina Ewbank and Erica Castle, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions. Ms Ewbank clarified that she was present as the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, not as a Councillor.

The Applicant and his Representatives summed up.

Following all the evidence presented, the Sub-Committee retired to consider and determine the application.  Dean Love, Specialist Licensing Officer and Emily Horne, Committee Officer, were in attendance to assist with any queries.  The Sub-Committee provided the following decision:

Resolved: The Sub-Committee resolved to grant the premises licence with the modified conditions as agreed by the Police as set out in Appendix E on pages 45-48 of the Report.

Reasons for the decision

The Licensing Sub Committee carefully considered the relevant parts of the representation made by a member of the public, on page 54 of the Report. It considered that these premises were not comparable with a particular premises which had previously been licensed. It was noted that one of the representations had been withdrawn prior to the hearing, following discussions with the Applicant.

In making its decision the Sub Committee took into account the plans and style of the premises and the likely clientele. The Members noted that no complaints had been made about the temporary events previously held and the Applicant’s contention that there was a high level of public support for the application. 

The Members were content, taking into account, the conditions which would be placed upon the licence and the representations made at the hearing, by and on behalf of the Applicant, that the grant of the premises licence would not undermine the licensing objectives.

The Sub Committee were satisfied, on balance, that the Applicant would deal with any concerns about noise which could adversely impact on the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance. The Members noted that the Applicant planned to apply for Best Bar None accreditation.

In making its decision, the Sub Committee took into account that no Responsible Authority had made a representation.