Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of The Towngate Inn, 3 Towngate East, Market Deeping be granted as varied, for the following hours for the sale of alcohol:-

                   10.00hrs to 00.00hrs – Sunday to Thursday

                   10.00hrs to 01.00hrs – Fridays and Saturdays

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

1.     The first floor function room is licensed to 02.00hrs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and if this is not a private event then SIA registered staff to be employed as at present;

2.     Drinks served to residents remain as existing, i.e. 24 hours a day;

3.     That on Saints days, Burns Night, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, if not falling on a Friday and Saturday as currently licensed, an extension agreed to 01.00hrs, and also Sundays preceding a Bank Holiday Monday;

4.     That the images recorded by the CCTV system shall be retained for a period of not less than twenty-eight days.

The committee had before them report ENV299 from the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for The Towngate Inn, 3 Towngate East, Market Deeping.  A full copy of the application was attached as appendix one, including a map showing the premises, together with representations from the police and interested parties at appendix two.

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

The applicant was present at the meeting, accompanied by Counsel, and the Chairman sought and received confirmation that they had received and understood the procedure to be followed.

The Environmental Health Manager introduced the report and drew attention to the representations from the police and interested parties.  Circulated to those present at the meeting was a copy of e-mail indicating agreement to the matters requested by the police.

The applicant’s representative referred briefly to the current hours of operation of the various aspects of the licence, as stated clearly in the police letter, and pointed out that the local objections had been made prior to the recent agreement circulated at the meeting.  He said that the application to vary did not substantially alter the current hours of operation.  There had been no public disorder identified recently at the premises and CCTV was installed and operational.  The majority of nights the premises closed at 11pm, and now that eighteenth and twenty-first birthday parties were not booked the clientele was different.  He pointed out that the premises were a hotel and that this was the reason for the twenty-four hour opening for residents.  He concluded by saying that it was unfair to suggest that the activities at this pub were the root of all problems in the area, and asked that the application be approved as varied.

Inspector Rose, on behalf of Lincolnshire Police, said that the hours had been amended, as circulated, in consultation with the management of the premises.  He said that there had been eleven incidents over a twelve-month period but since the current manager had taken over in April there had been only one case of public disorder.  He was in agreement with the application as varied.

The committee asked questions of Inspector Rose in relation to live music and the hours of operation.  Inspector Rose confirmed that there had been no problems reported in relation to the playing of music and, with regard to the hours, the applicant confirmed the current hours of operation, particularly with regard to the hotel side of the premises.

The Environmental Health Manager summed up the report, pointing out the agreed amendment and asked that members consider determining the application as now varied.

The applicant’s representative summed up and pointed out that the current landlord was a responsible and experienced individual and that there had been no incidents reported at the premises.  He reminded the committee that CCTV was installed and operational and that notices requesting customers to be considerate to local residents were already installed at exits.

The Corporate Manager asked for clarification that the e-mail circulated set out the agreed position with regard to the application.  The applicant confirmed that this was the case.  The officers, applicants and police representative then left the room.

During the ensuing general discussion it was proposed and seconded that the application be agreed as varied, subject to an extra condition that the CCTV tapes be retained for a period of twenty-eight days.

The officers, applicants and police representative then returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision, as noted above.  The Corporate Manager also advised the applicant that the decision could be reviewed at any time by any interested party.