Agenda and minutes

To confirm the procedure for the hearing (attached).

The procedures for the hearings were noted.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The record of the proceedings held on 22, 23, 28 November 2011 and 5, 7 December 2011 are attached.

The minutes of the meetings held on 22, 23, 28 November 2011 and 5, 7 December 2011 were agreed and the Chairman was authorised to sign them.

To hear and determine an opposed application for the variation of a premises licence.

Participating in this item were:

·         Andrew Fisher – The applicant

·         Antonia Skinner – The applicant

·         Peter Willan – Interested party

Mr Fisher made the following representation: He reminded the Sub-Committee that he wished to extend the licensing hours to allow alcohol and late night refreshments.

The premises had recently changed its name from Brouge Bistro to The Pig’s Ears.

Ms Skinner made the following representation: The premises currently had to ask patrons to drink-up at 11:00pm, in order to leave by 11:30pm. This resulted in an exodus of customers at this time. Extending the licensed hours would reduce the impact on the Cumulative Impact Zone, by staggering the dispersal of customers throughout the night. The Pig’s Ears did not serve shots or cocktails and people were encouraged to eat while they were drinking. The result was a continental style, relaxed drinking environment. She believed this helped to promote responsible drinking.

In response to a question from the Sub-Committee Ms Skinner said the premises had always had the facility for vertical drinking.

Mr Croft, the Council’s Licensing Team Leader, said the premises had obtained a Section 68 certificate (under the Licensing Act 1964) before 2005. This resulted in an embedded condition that appeared on the current premises licence. The embedded condition extended the sale of alcohol from 11:00pm to 12:00 midnight to customers who had ordered food only. If the Sub-Committee were minded to grant the application, as applied for, the embedded condition would still apply restricting the sale of alcohol with food for one hour from 11:00pm to midnight, then without food from midnight until the proposed new terminal hour. 

The applicants agreed that they would reapply in order to remove the condition from their licence.

Resolved: The applicant agreed to withdraw their application.

To hear and determine an opposed application for a new premises licence.

Present for this item were:

·         Robert Botkai – Agent on behalf of the applicant

·         Mr Edward – Solicitor on behalf of the applicant

·          

Mr Botkai made the following representation: He had spoken to the Police and Mr Willan before the meeting. They had come to a mutual agreement for the sale of alcohol from 8:00am-10:00pm, 7 days a week. In addition they had agreed the amended conditions set out in the addendum.

Mr Willan confirmed that he was withdrawing his objection to the application.

Based upon the mutual agreement between all parties the Committee RESOLVED that the application be approved and delegated to officers for the following reasons:

“Following the withdrawal of the Police representation on reduction in hours and agreed conditions, the Applicant and the only remaining Interested Party, The Richmond Society, managed to agree conditions on the evening of the hearing of the application and the Richmond Society withdraw its representation.”

(Please refer to the decision notice attached for details of the decision.)