Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of Central Night Club, 9 Silver Lane, Stamford be agreed as submitted for the following hours for the sale of alcohol:-

            11.00hrs to 02.45hrs – Monday to Sunday

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

1. That there be no admission or readmission after 01.45hrs.

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

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

4. That notice be provided to Lincolnshire Police when the premises intends opening on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday

The committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV274 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for Central Night Club, 9 Silver Lane, Stamford. A full copy of the application was attached as appendix 1, including a map showing the premises. Representations from 43 local residents were attached at appendix 2.

The Committee Support Officer introduced the application and clarified who would be speaking for the applicant. Three local residents and a police representative were at the meeting to speak.

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

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing introduced the report and informed the committee that the applicant’s representative had indicated that some representations, including one from the police, had been received outside the consultation period. The applicant’s representative stated that the applicant had discussed with the police their representation and did not take issue with its time of receipt. The committee were therefore minded to allow the police representative to speak in the meeting.

The applicant’s representative gave the case for the application. He stated that following the discussions with the police, the application had been modified to 11.00hrs to 02.45hrs for supply of alcohol. Drinking up time would remain as at present. It had been agreed with the police that two weeks notice would be given if they intended opening on a Monday, Tuesday or Sunday and that door staff remain if the premises was open past midnight or for extended public entertainment. The representative then related the application to certain sections of the Council’s Licensing Policy and the licensing objectives. He added that there were few residential properties nearby. He acknowledged the complaints concerning public nuisance but stated that these were too general and may not result from the Central Night Club premises. Upon questioning, the applicant confirmed that the current policy to close admissions at 1.45a.m. would remain.

The police representative then spoke to the committee about his meeting with the applicant. The police had no objections concerning the modified opening hours. He confirmed the requested conditions, as stated by the applicant’s representative previously in the meeting.

The local residents then addressed the committee. They were concerned as to the effect on the town when patrons left the premises. Noise from patrons leaving reverberated through the streets and the public nuisance was dreadful. The applicant was commended, however, on having addressed concerns regarding noise expressed to him previously. The residents were questioned by the committee on matters for clarification.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing summed up his report and reminded the committee that the premises was already licensed until 02.00hrs and until 02.30hrs for entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The applicant’s representative also summed up by reiterating the main points of his case and that the licensing objectives could be met by the application.

The officers, applicant, representative and members of the public then left the meeting. The committee discussed the application and it was proposed and seconded that the application, as modified, be agreed subject to the retention of the admission policy and the inclusion of conditions relating to door staff and giving notice to the police for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday opening. On being put to the vote, this was carried.

The officer, applicant, 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.