Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation in respect of The Lincolnshire Poacher, Broad Street, Stamford be agreed as submitted (with the exclusion of live entertainment and dancing), for the following hours for the sale of alcohol:

            10:00 to 00:00             Sunday to Thursday

            08:00 to 01:00                       Friday

            10:00 to 01:00                       Saturday

            10:00 New Years Eve to 02:30 2^nd January

and subject to thirty minutes drinking up time, and subject also to the following condition:

1.                  That there shall be no admissions/readmissions to the premises after 23:00

Note – applicant be asked to display a suitable notice requiring customers to show consideration to local residents when leaving the premises and to consider the installation of CCTV equipment and in such case keep any resulting tapes for a period of no less than 28 days.

The Committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV309 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for The Lincolnshire Poacher, Broad Street, Stamford. A full copy of the application was attached as appendix 1 together with a map of the premises. Representations received from Lincolnshire Police and local residents were attached as appendix 2.

A representative of the applicant was present at the meeting; the Chairman outlined the procedure that would be followed and introduced the Committee Members and Officers present. The applicant stated that he had been advised of the procedure that would be followed, which he understood. A representative of the Lincolnshire Police and two members of the public who had given notice that they wished to speak were also present at the meeting.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing presented his report, drawing the attention of the Committee to the proposed variation of times for the sale of alcohol and additional drinking up time. He stated that thirteen letters of representation had been received from interested parties. The premises currently had provision for “Two in a Bar” and that the only bank holiday variation that had been applied for was New Year. The applicant had undertaken negotiations with the police.

The applicant stated that the request for live music and dancing had been withdrawn from the application. The application still covered the playing of recorded music, showing films and the sale of alcohol. The schedule of operation included provision for staff training, membership of Pubwatch, a Sensible Drinking Policy, zero tolerance for drug users, a no admission/readmission policy after 23:00 and any incidents would be recorded in an incident book, which would be made available for the police or the Licensing Authority to inspect. When questioned, the applicant stated that the premises had no CCTV. The applicant also answered questions about proposed opening times.

Two members of the public raised issues including noise nuisance when the premises were under previous management. They confirmed that there had been no problems since new management had taken over. The Committee confirmed the proximity of the premises to residential areas. One member of the public commended the no admission/readmission policy.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing, in summing up, reminded the Committee that the application had been amended to exclude live music. The applicant summed up and then the Committee Support Officer asked for confirmation that if a policy was laid down in the schedule of operations, that there would be no need to attach a condition. This was confirmed by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing. The officers and applicant left the room.

The Committee discussed the application in terms of the potential for noise nuisance and the specificity and proximity of the representations made by members of the public.

Following discussion, it was proposed, seconded and duly voted upon that the application be granted as applied with the exclusion of live music. The committee requested that the applicant consider the installation of CCTV and that notices be placed in proximity of exits asking patrons to have regard for local residents when leaving.

The applicant and officers then returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision, as noted above. The Committee Support Officer advised the applicant that the decision could be requested for review at any time by any interested party.