Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors P Keska, D Dorrell and B Rolfe.

The Chairman introduced the Members and officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application. The Chairman welcomed the applicant Mr E Nidai and the Designated Premises Supervisor Mr V Yigit. No objectors were present.

(a)          The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Compliance officer H Ibrahim introduced the application. The application had been made by Mr E Nidai for a new premises licence at the Golden Anchor, 28 The Broadway, Loughton, Essex. The application was for the supply of alcohol Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 22:30.

The responsible authorities had received a copy of the application and it was also advertised at the premises and in a local newspaper. All residences and businesses within 150 meters radius of the premises were individually consulted. A response had been received from the Police and Essex Fire authorities who had no objections subject to the agreement of certain conditions as set out in their email dated 23 May 2017; and one letter of objection was also received. This related to the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

The applicant noted that they had wanted an alcohol licence as their customers were asking to have wine with their food. As a restaurant they were not open late and so only wanted the licence up to 22:30, but if need be were willing to take it back to 22:00 if asked.

(c)          Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

Councillor Rolfe had concerns about supplying drinks with meals and could people order more than they needed and take it away with them. He was told that they would be served at the tables by the waiting staff. What was usually asked for was a glass of wine. He could therefore foresee no problems.

Councillor Durrell asked the designated premises supervisor if he had a personal licence. He was told that he did and that this was not the first premises he had looked after.

Councillor Keska then asked what other experience did he have and was told that from 2013 to 2016 he had ran another business and during this time had gained experience in dealing with customers. At this premises they had a lot of customers asking for wine with their meals.

Councillor Keska noted that some sections of the application form such as ‘provision of indoor sporting events’ and ‘any seasonal variations’ had not been completed. It was ascertained that the applicants did not wish to take these options up and they should have been marked as ‘none’.

Councillor Keska noted that this was a fish restaurant but there had been some worries with underage drinking in the area and as a council we have worries about this.  He then asked if the applicant was happy with the extra conditions proposed by the Police Licensing Officer.  Mr Nidai said that he accepted these conditions.

(d)          Closing Statement from the Applicant

They had nothing to add.

(e)          Consideration of the Application by the Sub-Committee

The Chairman requested that the applicants withdraw from the chamber while they considered the application in private. During their deliberations the Sub-Committee received no further advice from the officers present.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the application for new premises Licence for the Golden Anchor, 28 The Broadway, Loughton, Essex be granted subject to the mandatory conditions being applied and the extra conditions proposed by the Police Licensing Officer being added. Namely that:

(a)  The premises must operate as a restaurant:

(i)            In which customers must be seated at a table;

(ii)           Which provides substantial table meals that are prepared on the premises and are served and consumed at the table;

(iii)          Where alcohol must not be sold, supplied, or consumed on the premises otherwise than to persons who are taking substantial table meals and provided always that the consumption of alcohol by such persons is ancillary to taking such meals.

(b)  Service of alcohol shall be by waiter/waitress only.