Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of The Baskervilles, Main Street, Baston be agreed as submitted, included thirty minutes drinking up time, subject to the following conditions:-

1. That the residents’ certificate and restaurant licence be presented to the Head of Environmental Health and Licence prior to the issue of the new licence.

2. That the maximum occupancy figure remain at 200 persons for the whole premises or a figure agreed subsequently with the fire officer.

3. That notices are displayed within the premises requesting customers to leave quietly and have respect for their residential neighbours.

The committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV275 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for The Baskervilles, Main Street, Baston. A full copy of the application, including a map showing the premises, was attached at appendix 1. Representations from interested parties and the police were attached at appendix 2.

The Committee Support Officer introduced the application and clarified that the applicant would be representing himself. The co-licensee was also present at the meeting and the Chairman sought and received confirmation that they had received and understood the procedure to be followed. It was noted that a police representative and a local resident were present at the meeting.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing introduced his report. He explained that the objections from local residents had mainly concerned the lack of notice displayed on the premises during the application process. The applicant confirmed that this has been resolved and he apologised for the mistake. Objections remained, however, concerning public nuisance and noise.

The applicant then addressed the committee. He explained that since taking over the premises, historical problems concerning disturbance had been decreasing. The extension in hours for the sale of alcohol would allow patrons to drink after the end of entertainment to provide a gradual departure from the premises. This would resolve the problem of people waiting on the street for taxis, which were few given the rural location of the premises.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing asked the applicant to clarify the current licensing position, as the residents’ certificate and restaurant licence had not been submitted with the application. The applicant confirmed that these would be provided. The committee asked the applicant about noise leakage. He confirmed that they monitored noise themselves and that air conditioning had been installed in the function room to stop people opening doors in the warmer weather. Windows were locked and could not be opened.

The police representative spoke to the committee regarding the police’s objection to the increase in occupancy levels. He asked that this should be reviewed. This was supported by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing. 

The local resident spoke to the committee about the history of nuisance from music and quiz events at the premises. Previous complaints had had only a temporary resolution although there had been improvement in the last year. He added that an increase in sale of alcohol hours would delay disturbances until later in the night.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing summed up his report, reminding the committee that a licence could not be issued without evidence of the necessary certificates. The applicant had nothing else to add.

The officers, co-licensee, local resident and police representative then left the room. The committee considered the application and it was proposed and seconded that the application be agreed as submitted subject to the presentation of certificates, the addition of a condition relating to patrons leaving the premises and that the occupancy figure remain at 200 unless altered by the fire officer. On being put to the vote, this was agreed.

The officers, co-licensee, local resident and police representative then 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.