Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of the Blue Pig, Vine Street, Grantham be granted for the following times for the sale of alcohol:-

            11:00 to 00:30                       Monday to Thursday

            11:00 to 01:30                       Friday

            10:30 to 01:30                       Saturday

            12:00 to 23:30                       Sunday

And subject to thirty minutes drinking up time and also to the following conditions:

1.                  That the beer garden must close at 22:30 every day;

2.                  That there will be no external music played in the beer garden;

3.                  That there will be no admission or readmission after 23:30, to be policed by the landlord;

4.                  That CCTV tapes will be kept for 28 days;

5.                  That a notice will be displayed near the exit requesting patrons leave quietly.

(Councillors Wheat and Williams left the room)

The Committee had before them report ENV257 by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing, regarding an application for conversion and variation for the Blue Pig, Grantham. A full copy of the application and a plan of the site were attached as appendix 1. Representations had been received from the Lincolnshire Police and six local residents; copies of these had been attached as appendix 2.

Present at the meeting were the applicant, the applicants legal representative, the police and three members of the public who had stated that they wished to make representations. The Chairman outlined the procedure that would be followed and introduced the committee members and officers present. The applicants confirmed that they were aware of the procedure that would be followed.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing presented his report, drawing the attention of the committee to the variation of opening hours and the addition of ten minutes drinking up time; it would also include live music and indoor sporting events as licensable activities. He drew attention in particular to representations that had been received from the Lincolnshire Police attached in appendix 2. Dialogue between the police and the applicant had led to the withdrawal of the police objection. He also referred to various letters of objection from local residents.

The applicant confirmed that after discussions with the police, the request for varying operating times on 30 unspecified occasions had been withdrawn as being unlawful. The applicant confirmed that CCTV tapes would be kept for the period specified by the police. Both parties had agreed that an admission and readmission policy would be unviable. The applicant stated that the beer garden would be closed at 23:00 and its use would be seasonal.

The representative from the police confirmed the agreement had been made stipulating admission or readmission would best be policed by the applicant.

Members asked the police representative about any recent incidents directly attributable to the premises and confirmed that after discussion, they had withdrawn their objection.

The committee then heard representations from:-

            Mr. Redmile, 10 Vine Street, Grantham

            Mr. Ivens on behalf of Mrs. A. Rudd, 6/7 Vine Street, Grantham

            Mr. J. Rhodes, 2 Swinegate, Grantham

in relation to their objection to the application.

In summing up his report, the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing confirmed the extended hours applied for and reminded members that the application for variation would include both internal and external entertainment.

The applicant, in summing up, stated that he would be happy to deal with any problems local residents may experience. The applicant confirmed that he was a member of the Pubwatch scheme.

The applicants, officers and objectors then left the room.

The Committee discussed concerns about external music, noise from the beer garden and the transfer of the licence to a new landlord. The committee also considered the agreement reached between the applicant and the police. It was proposed and seconded that the application should be granted with the conditions mentioned. On being put to the vote, the proposal was agreed.

The applicants and officers returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision, as noted above. The Corporate Manager of Democratic and Legal Services reminded the applicant that the licence would be under constant review by any interested party. He advised the applicant that he would be also able to appeal the decision.

(Councillors Wheat and Williams returned to the meeting)