Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application in respect of The Punchbowl, 21 Scotgate, Stamford be agreed in accordance with the amended application as circulated at the meeting, subject to varied hours for the sale of alcohol as follows:-

       11.00hrs to 00.00hrs – Monday to Sunday

and subject to thirty minutes drinking up time, and to withdrawal of the non-standard timings part of the application.

Note – applicant be asked to display a suitable notice requiring customers to show consideration to local residents when leaving the premises.

The committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV291 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for The Punchbowl, 21 Scotgate, Stamford.  A full copy of the application was attached at appendix one together with a plan showing the location of the premises.  A significant number of objections from local residents were attached as appendix two.

The Corporate Manager introduced the application and clarified who would be speaking for the applicants.  It was noted that there was no representative from the police present but a local resident attended on behalf of other local residents.

The Chairman, in introducing the application, sought and received confirmation from the applicants that they had received and understood the procedure to be followed.

In introducing his report, the Environmental Health Manager drew the attention of members to the proposed hours of operation and to the special events listed in section “M” of the application, and also mentioned the forty objections which had been received from local residents.

The applicants then presented their case, advising the committee that the application had been amended and the hours for the sale of alcohol had been reduced from 2am to twelve midnight with the addition of thirty minutes drinking up time.  Reference was made to the forty letters of objection which had been received and the applicants asked the committee to consider the location of many of the objectors.  It was pointed out that some appeared to be several streets away from the application premises and there was only one specific objection related to the premises.  The applicants considered that their application suffered from unsubstantiated objections which were in the main related to other premises nearer to the centre of the town.  No complaints had been made relating to patrons of The Punchbowl, and they had never had to call for the police in relation to any noise or nuisance from the premises.  Nevertheless, they had amended the application in an attempt to reduce the effect of the suggested problems.  It was confirmed that all windows and doors would be kept closed after 10.30pm when entertainment was being provided.  In conclusion the applicants said that the premises were more of a wine bar and had a more mature clientele.  There was no apparent problem with underage drinking and they operated a responsible pricing structure with no special offers which would encourage “binge” drinking.

The committee then heard representations from Mr R Barry of Barn Hill, Stamford, on his own behalf and on behalf of other local residents.  Mr Barry said that he appreciated the changes made by the applicants in an attempt to alleviate the effect of problems allegedly coming from their premises.  He pointed out that there were twelve pubs and seven takeaways within a hundred and fifty metres band of The Barn Hill/Scotgate area.  There was considerable traffic to and from the pub but he accepted that it could not all be related to The Punchbowl directly.  He suggested as a compromise that there would be less problems if premises closed, including drinking up time, at twelve midnight.  Also referred to was a letter from an objector who was unable to be present which reiterated many of the points raised. 

The Environmental Health Manager summed up his report and asked members to consider the application as varied by an e-mail from the applicants which was circulated to those present at the meeting.  It was also suggested that the committee might consider removal of the section of the application relating to non-standard timings and special events.

The applicant summed up and accepted the representations which had been made.  He confirmed that they would have no objection to the removal of the non-standard timings element of the application.

The Corporate Manager clarified the position with the applicants and objector in relation to matters which the committee was considering and the applicants, officers and objector then left the room.

During the ensuing general discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be approved as varied, subject to the conditions mentioned.  On being put to the vote the proposition was agreed.

The applicants, officers and objector then returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision, as noted above.

The Corporate Manager also advised the applicant and objector that the decision could be reviewed at any time by any interested party.