Agenda, decisions and minutes
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Contact: Farhana Zia, Senior Democratic Services Officer Tel: 020 7364 0842, E-mail: farhana.zia@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 215 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interests made.
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To note the rules of procedure which are attached for information. Additional documents: Minutes: The rules of procedure were noted.
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ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Additional documents: |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: At the request of the Chair, Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application the variation of the premises licence for Retreat East Farm Shop, 20-22 Toynbee Street, London E1 7NE. It was noted that objections had been received on behalf of the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health and local residents.
Mr Mike Nickson, Licensing Agent on behalf of the Applicant, confirmed the core element of the business would remain as a café, delicatessen and organic farm shop however the business was looking to extend its operating hours and was applying to vary the premises licence to allow for the sale of alcohol. Mr Nickson said the business intended to hold cheese and wine tasting events to invited guests in the evening. Mr Nickson said local residents had been written to and efforts had been made to explain the purpose of the variation of the licence. He said the main concerns were from the Responsible Authorities in relation to the premises being in the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).
Mr Nixon explained the conditions that the Applicant had offered following a review of the Responsible Authorities’ objections. He noted that the premises would not be alcohol led and would operate within the Council’s framework hours. He said the application had been amended to state there would be no ‘off sales’ of alcohol after 18:00 hours on any day and said the business would not negatively impact the area or add to the issues already experienced in the cumulative impact zone.
Members then heard from Ms Lavine Miller-Johnson, who explained she was obliged to make an objection as the premises is located in the CIZ and believed the extra footfall in the area would add to the existing levels of public nuisance experienced in the area and that this would negatively impact the cumulative impact zone. She raised concerns regarding the ‘on sales’ of alcohol which would continue until 11:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. The amendment to Sunday timings having been made by Mr Nickson at the meeting. She said it was not clear what would happen to half-drunk bottles of alcohol from the ‘on sale’ purchases and how these would be disposed of.
Members also heard from Ms Nicola Cadzow, Environmental Health Officer, who echoed the concerns raised by the Licensing Authority and expressed concern about the impact increased timings and the sale of alcohol would have on public nuisance and noise pollution. Ms Cadzow said she was pleased that some of the suggested conditions had been accepted and said that if the Sub-Committee were minded to grant the application then the four points raised in her email at page 9 of the supplement agenda should be considered.
In response to questions the following was noted:
· The Applicant was willing to limit off sales of alcohol from the application to 18:00 hours on any day and reduce the timings for the sale of ‘on sales’ of alcohol on Sunday to 22:00 hours. · The Applicant’s agent ... view the full minutes text for item 3.1 |
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Additional documents:
Minutes:
Mr Leo Charalambides, Counsel on behalf of the Applicant, stated the application was seeking a premises licence for a community hub, which provided cultural and social events and entertainment for the kink, fetish and BDSM communities. He said the sale of alcohol, refreshment and entertainment would be ancillary to the community function the premises would be providing to its patrons. Mr Charalambides said the granting of the licence would be in the ‘public good’ as it would provide a space for the marginalised groups of communities representing different genders, sexualities, sexual orientation and races, who had come together and were now seeking a permanent home, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Mr Charalambides stated the Applicant’s experience and professionalism had been highly praised for providing a safe space to its patrons and this was evident in the number of supporters who had written to support the application. Mr Charalambides said the Applicant had worked with the Responsible Authorities to address their concerns, in particular with the Police, and had incorporated changes to their Operational Handbook and Safeguarding Manual. Mr Charalambides said that due to the partnership approach that had been taken, concerns around the crime and disorder objective could be parked as this application was being made on behalf of the Applicant and the police.
Mr Charalambides addressed the concerns raised by the Licensing Authority, clarifying that the membership is regulated with conditions, and bookings are made via an online platform, with pre-registered guests or pre-paid ticket holders attending the events. Mr Charalambides said tickets usually sold-out 24 hours prior to the events and individuals were vetted with strict controls on the number of attendees. He said events organised by Klub Verboten were not ‘destination venues’ and would only attract those within the aforementioned communities.
Mr Charalambides continued stating that premises plan shown on page 156 of the agenda, was a rectangle space, with CCTV covering the entire floor. The space was designed to be flexible depending on the nature of activities taking place. For example, a lecture or art show during the day to equipment and lighting for the ‘adult play’ activities in the evening. The bar was mobile as the drinking of alcohol was ancillary to the activity.
It was noted the capacity of the venue was 280 persons plus15 members of staff. Mr Charalambides said that due to the nature of the community, there should be no concern about public nuisance, because the events were ticketed. He said that whilst the timings applied for seemed long, they were not, as no one would be allowed in after 2:30 a.m. and most attendees would get to the venue early as tickets were incentivised to ... view the full minutes text for item 3.2 |
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EXTENSION OF DECISION DEADLINE: LICENSING ACT 2003 The Sub Committee may be requested to extend the decision deadline for applications to be considered at forthcoming meetings due to the volume of applications requiring a hearing. Where necessary, details will be provided at the meeting.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no decision deadlines to extend.
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