Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of the London Inn, St. John’s Street, Stamford be agreed for the following hours for the sale of alcohol:-

            11:00 to 00:00                       Sunday to Thursday

            11:00 to 01:00                       Friday to Saturday

Sundays preceding a Bank Holiday, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, St. Valentines Day, St. George’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, all until 02:00

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

1.                  That a noise limiter be installed and operated to suppress noise above a certain level, the settings for the meter to be agreed in writing with the Licensing Authority, on completion of tests;

2.                  That there should be no entry or re-entry after one hour before the cessation of the sale of alcohol every night;

3.                  On any day the premises remains open for trade after 23:00, S I A registered door staff shall be employed at the ratio of 2 staff for the first 100 patrons and one further door person for every 100 patrons after the first 100, from 21:00 until the end of alcohol sales;

4.                  That CCTV should be installed and maintained and all resulting tapes maintained for a period of no less than 28 days and made available to the police if requested.

The Committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV312 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for London Inn, St. John’s Street, Stamford. A full copy of the application was attached as appendix 1 together with a map of the premises. 42 representations from interested parties had been received and attached as appendix 2, the letter or representation from Lincolnshire Police was circulated at the meeting.

The applicant and a representative were 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. Two members of the public had given notice that they wanted to speak on this item. A police representative was also present.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing presented his report, drawing the attention of the Committee to the extension of licensable activities and the additional drinking-up time. Granting the application would include formal recognition of ‘Two in a Bar’. He stated that letters of representation had been received from interested parties.

The applicant presented his case, stating that the premises would, subject to planning permission, be refitted; this would include installation of noise limiting equipment. Provision had been made in the application for door staff and membership of Pubwatch. The applicant circulated maps displaying the location of those who made representations in respect of the application. When questioned, the applicant stated that the property would be installed with CCTV after the refit. He also confirmed that the company would also install a noise-limiting device on completion of renovation.

The police stated that their representation reflected the need for door staff and whether there would be sufficient provision for occasions when all hours applied for were used. The applicant confirmed that S I A registered door staff would be in place any day the premises were open after 23:00, alongside a no admissions/readmissions policy. Questions also covered the potential disturbance to residents.

Two local residents were concerned about noise nuisance, lack of sufficient soundproofing and potential disruption should all patrons leave simultaneously. Questions were asked on these issues.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing, in summing up, recommended that the committee consider the application for transfer and variation and reminded them of the representations received. The applicant then summed up, confirming they were happy to provide door staff in a ratio as agreed with the police, then the officers, police representative and applicant left the room.

The Committee discussed the application in terms of the potential for public nuisance. Following discussion, it was proposed, seconded and duly voted upon that the application be granted to permit the sale of alcohol between 11:00am and midnight on Sunday to Thursday and 11:00am and 01:00am on Friday to Saturday with thirty minutes drinking up time and subject to conditions on noise limits, a no admission/readmission policy, the provision of suitably qualified door staff and the installation of CCTV and retention of tapes.

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.