Agenda and minutes

Applicant: James Mcalinden, represented by David Holley (Licensing Agent) and Elizabeth Pike (Manager)

Interested Parties: Steve Deeley, Adrian Phipps, represented by David Phipps, Ian Perkins (The Abbey Residents Association)

The parties confirmed that they had received and understood the licensing procedure.

The Licensing Officer summarised the application as set out in her report. She explained that a new licence was required because of alterations to the premises. Representations had been received from interested parties in respect of the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance and public safety.

Mr Holley stated the case for the applicant. He apologised that the applicant was not able to attend because of an engagement in Bristol. He introduced Elizabeth Pike, the Manager of the premises. Mr Holley explained that the premises comprised a bar area, a small downstairs room, containing tables and chairs, and an outside terrace/decking area at the rear of the premises, also furnished with tables and chairs. There was, in total, seating for about 90 people. The premises had been closed for six months while alterations to the bar and decking area had been carried out. Ms Pike said that the intention was to create a pleasant social environment, not a nightclub where people came to get drunk. Mr Holley stated that the premises were licensed under the Licensing Act 1964, which contained provisions relating to the supply of alcohol ancillary to the provision of meals. A new licence was required because of the physical changes to the premises, to allow extended hours in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, and to allow parties and other special events to take place at the premises without the need to apply for Temporary Event Notices. Mr Holley said that the applicant hoped that the conditions included in the operating schedule gave a clear indication of the intended nature of the operation. He noted that an interested party had suggested that there should be a condition requiring the fitting of a noise limiter to music amplification equipment with a noise limit set by the local authority. He suggested that it was very difficult to regulate noise in terms of decibel levels, because so much depended on special factors. It was proposed to have a karaoke facility, to be used occasionally when parties were taking place, but there would be no dance floor. He suggested that the condition included in the operating schedule that “no noise to emanate from the premises so as to be audible or cause nuisance at the façade of the nearest residential premises” would be sufficient. He said that he would not respond in detail at this stage to all the issues raised by interested parties. He noted that no representations to the application had been received from the Responsible Authorities. He drew attention to the condition in the operating schedule providing that

Where a risk assessment by the DPS and/or at the written request of the Police, SIA door staff shall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.