Agenda item

To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors R Morgan (Chairman), L Hughes and J Jennings.

 

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 Thomas James, the applicant and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Karen Cochrane, the applicant’s Licensing Solicitor and Councillor N Avey, one of the Ward Councillors objecting on behalf of the residents.

 

a)            Application before the Sub-Committee

 

The Licensing Compliance Officer, D Houghton introduced the application. The application had been made by Punch Partnerships Ltd (PTL), the Premises Licence Holder for a variation to the premises licence at The Merry Fiddlers, 4 Fiddlers Hamlet, Epping, Essex, CM16 7PY. The applicant was requesting to extend the morning opening times for non licensable activities to provide breakfast services and to amend the licensing plan for licensable activities set out in the agenda on page 34.

 

The changes requested were for opening hours as follows;

 

Monday to Saturday 06.00 – 00.30; and

Sunday 06.00 – 23.00.

 

All responsible authorities had been notified and it had been advertised at the premises and in a local newspaper. The Licensing Authority had received a representation from the Ward Councillor, which related to the Prevention of Public Nuisance.

 

b)            Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

 

The Solicitor advised that the applicant had lived at the premises for ten years and had been the current DPS for 2 years. The application was requesting to extend the opening hours in the morning, to potentially capture commuters and passing trade for breakfast service. Similarly, the variation to the outside area for licensable activities was for the potential increase use of the premises for weddings and events. The premises had held various temporary events in the outside area, throughout this year and the applicant wished to increase and continue this purpose. The Applicant had addressed the additional conditions that the Essex Police had suggested on pages 51 – 53 of the agenda which included CCTV and an Age Verification Policy.

 

The Solicitor advised that PPL ran around 3000 other premises and had not received any complaints or problems with this type of application. There had also been no representations from the Statutory Authorities. Furthermore several conditions had been offered by the applicant to address the objectors concerns as set out in an email dated 4 December 2018 between Councillor N Avey and the Council.

 

c)            Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

 

The Sub-Committee asked whether the car parking facilities were large enough to cope with these types of events, due to the rural location and lack of suitable parking available on the surrounding roads. The applicant advised that an overflow car park could be provided and they had not yet experienced any issues. The premises had just under an acre of land that could be used for this purpose.

 

The Sub-Committee raised concerns regarding the noise issues that could arise from the increased usage. The applicant advised that they had spoken to the Environmental Health Team regarding ideas on preventing or reducing the noise and that they had not received any complaints following the recent events that had been held.

 

The Sub-Committee questioned whether the marquee would be taken down in between events. The applicant advised that he hoped that the usage would be continual throughout the summer period, but if it was not used for a period of time, it would be brought down to prevent damage. Also the customer would dictate the position of the marquee, depending on the type of event. Previous events had seen the marquee positioned at the far end of the field and another had been attached to the pub.

 

The Sub-Committee asked about the DPS. The Applicant advised that he currently was the only DPS but that his father would also become trained. Furthermore, all staff had received the relevant training.

 

The Sub-Committee questioned whether the applicant had any ideas on the trade that was expected for the early opening hours. The applicant advised that they were not aware at this time, although the car park had suffered from commuters parking all day and walking to the station, so some passing trade was expected.

 

Finally the Sub-Committee questioned whether a purchase of breakfast would enable commuters to park all day at the premises. The applicant advised that this was not his intention as the premises was open in the day to other customers.

 

d)            Questions for the Applicant from the Objector

 

The objector asked who the applicant expected at 06.00. The applicant advised that he was not yet aware but would like the opportunity, although commuters had used the car park, so they may wish to have a tea or coffee before work.

 

Further concerns were raised by the objector which included the position of the marquee, the rural location and feel of the premises, noise issues rising from the current use, the smoking area and the suggested opening times.

 

The applicant advised that the premises was becoming unviable, unless other options were considered. The marquee would be situated away from the neighbours as far as possible and they were looking into moving the smoking area. The applicant felt that the opening hours would capture people before work and later opening times would not be of any benefit.

 

e)            Presentation from the Objector

 

The objector represented a number of residents from within his Ward. He advised that it was a rural pub, in a quiet location, and although the premises was struggling in these times, residents had enjoyed the quietness. The plans to increase the usage of the pub for events throughout the summer would impact on the surrounding neighbours. He stated that with the late evenings and suggested early start times, this would be detrimental to the neighbours with not only the potential noise issues but also the movement of vehicles early in the mornings and late in the evenings.

 

The objector advised that he had been confused by the commuters issues raised, as the pub was some 20 minute walk on a rural road from the station. The application would increase traffic, impacting on the surrounding neighbours and he hoped that the applicant takes on board the comments of the neighbours to prevent any issues in the future. The applicant advised that he had no intention of inconveniencing the neighbours and his solicitor advised that the applicant was only requesting the flexibly of the opening hours to ensure the business continued. Any evidence or issues could be brought back to the Licensing Sub-Committee.

 

f)             Questions from the Sub-Committee

 

The Sub-Committee asked what times did residents think were suitable. The objector advised Monday - Saturday 09.00 and Sunday 10.00 would be sufficient.

 

g)            Questions from the Applicant

 

There were no questions from the applicant.

 

h)            Closing Statement

 

The applicant added no further comments.

 

i)              Consideration of the Application by the Sub-Committee

 

The Sub-Committee withdrew from the Council Chamber, whilst considering the application in private. During their deliberations the Sub-Committee received no further advice from the officers present.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the application to vary the premises licence in respect of The Merry Fiddlers, 4 Fiddlers Hamlet, Epping, Essex, CM16 7PY be granted subject to the following conditions, which the Council considered were reasonable, proportionate and in the public interest for the promotion of the licensing objectives;

(1)           The mandatory conditions contained in Sections 19-21 of the Licensing Act 2003;

 

(2)           That the opening times be amended to 07.00 – 00.30 Monday to Saturday and 08.00 – 23.00 Sunday;

 

(3)           That a notice shall be prominently displayed at all exits and in the external area requesting customers to respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and area quietly;

 

(4)           That no waste or recyclable materials including bottles, shall be moved , removed from or placed in outside areas between 23.00 hours and 08.00 hours the following day;

 

(5)           That when regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, is taking place , regular boundary noise checks shall be conducted and any required action shall be taken. Records detailing the sound checks and any required action shall be recorded. All records must be written and shall be retained on the premises for a minimum of 12 months;

 

(6)           That staff shall monitor the customers in the external areas of the premises on a regular basis and ensure customers do not cause a public nuisance;

 

 

(7)           That a direct telephone number for the manager of the premises shall be made available to residents in the vicinity, to call all times the premises are open; and

 

(8)           That after 23.00 hours when regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music, is being provided inside the premises all external windows and doors shall be kept closed, except in the event of an emergency and to permit access and egress to and from the premises.