Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of The Town House, 39 Broad Street, Stamford be agreed as submitted, including thirty minutes drinking up time, subject to the following conditions:-

1. That the existing CCTV installation shall be maintained and all resulting tapes shall be kept for a period of no less than 28 days and made available to the police if required.

2. Door staff to remain present until the close of the premises when open after midnight or for extended entertainment.

3. That the number of door staff accord with South Kesteven District Council current public entertainment licensing conditions.

4. All external doors and windows shall be kept closed when regulated entertainment is being provided except for access and egress and in the event of an emergency.

The committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV270 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for The Town House, 39 Broad Street, Stamford. A full copy of the application was attached as appendix 1, including a map showing the premises.  A letter of objection from a local resident was attached as appendix 2.

The Committee Support Officer introduced the application and clarified who would be speaking for the applicants. The co-licensee was present at the meeting, accompanied by Counsel. A local resident was present at the meeting to speak. The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing informed the committee that the police had made a representation but there was uncertainty as to whether or not it was received within the consultation period. The applicant agreed to the police making representations and the committee allowed the police representative present to make representations at the meeting. The Chairman sought and received confirmation that the applicant and representative had received and understood the procedure to be followed.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing introduced the report and confirmed the variations to the existing licence. Upon questioning from the local resident, the officer confirmed the conditions of the current licence.

The applicant’s representative then spoke to the committee. The applicant had already discussed with the police their concerns and the applicant considered the variations requested to be minor in comparison with other premises. The representative spoke in detail concerning the representation from the local resident. He stated that the comments were in relation to conditions only and that they did appear to be premises specific. He added that there had been no other complaints. Upon questioning from the committee, the representative confirmed that no crime and disorder incidents had occurred during the present ownership.

The police representative then spoke to the committee. He asked that the CCTV condition continue and that door staff remain when the premises is open past midnight or when open for extended periods of entertainment. This was acknowledged by the applicant’s representative.

The local resident then spoke about his objection, which he believed to represent the views of many other local residents. He stated that music from the premises could be heard at his home late at night and that the entrance door to the premises was rarely closed. He was concerned that later opening hours may increase public nuisance. The applicant’s representative questioned the local resident about his evidence and previous objections.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing summed up his report and reminded the committee of the variations in the application. The applicant’s representative in summing up emphasised his client’s willingness to cooperate with the police on their requests.

The officers, co-licensee, representative and members of the public then left the room. The committee considered the application and it was proposed and seconded that the application be agreed subject to the conditions requested by the police and that doors and windows remained closed during public entertainment. This was carried on being put to the vote.

The officer, co-licensee, representative and members of the public returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision, as noted above. The Committee Support Officer also advised the applicant that the decision could be reviewed at any time by any interested party.