Agenda item
Application for a New Premises Licence for Blackstone, Ground Floor and Basement, 159 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ (LSC 59/011)
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Acting Senior Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises license forBlack Stone, Ground Floor & Basement, 159 Commercial Street London E1 6BJ. It was noted that objections had been received by local residents and a resident association.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Martin Howells, Licensing Representative gave a brief background of the premises and explained that they had planning permission to use the premise as a restaurant. It was noted that objections were made due to noise nuisance and this was because there was construction works going on in the premises to improve the fabric of the building in order to be better sound proof.
Mr Howells acknowledged that residents have had bad experiences with the premises when it was previously a nightclub. He explained that the premises was now under new management and would not be used as a nightclub. He also mentioned that they had been working closely with the Police, Environmental Health and the Fire Authority and had agreed to conditions in order to promote the four licensing objectives and therefore there were no objections from any responsible authorities. Mr Howells referred to pages 110-113 of the agenda and went through the operating schedule and the managerial controls that would be in place to promote the licensing objectives.
Mr Svein Barrow, Licensing Representative, further explained that the premises was not a Bar or Club and would not be used as such. He also acknowledged the concerns of local residents and their preconceptions of the premises due to the previous establishments and other bars in the area. He emphasised how the applicants had taken extensive measures to insulate noise.
At the request of the Chair Mr Mohammed Islam, Director, gave a brief background of his working life and his desire to open his own restaurant. He explained that he had taken all advice from relevant authorities and also took extra measures to ease residents concerns of noise nuisance by making the premises more sound proof. He explained that there would be signs asking customers to leave quietly and respect the needs of local residents, also have a dedicated cab service and customers wanting to smoke would be encouraged not to make noise and to be quick.
The Chair then invited residents who wished to address the Committee, Hilary Bagshaw and Clancey Shlockenhorrow were among the residents who spoke in objection to the application, each addressing similar concerns in relation to noise nuisance, public disorder, anti-social behaviour, drug activity and crime and disorder.
In response to questions the following was noted, that the capacity of the restaurant would be for a maximum of 270 people, that notices would be placed in the premises asking customers to use the lavatories, and that there was now a total of eleven toilets in premises and this had been increased to address concerns of urination and defection. It was confirmed that the applicants wished to use the premises as a restaurant and not a bar. The applicants could not tell members the number of tables that would be used as the seating plan was not ready, however it was noted that only diners at the restaurant would be served drinks. It was noted that CCTV cameras would be installed both internal and external to the premises and that a noise limiter would be set at a level agreed by Environmental Health. It was also noted that non standing hours had been withdrawn from the application.
The Chair advised that the Sub Committee would at 7.35pm adjourn to consider the evidence presented. Members reconvened at 8.05pm. The Chair reported that;
Having heard representations from all interested parties, Members considered the licence application taking into account the licensing objectives and objections from residents.
Members felt that the applicants had addressed the issues and concerns raised by objectors within there amended operating schedule and felt that the hours applied for were acceptable and that appropriate conditions had been accepted by the applicants to promote the licensing objectives. Therefore Members decided to GRANT the application with conditions.
RESOLVED
That the application for a new premises license forBlack Stone, Ground Floor & Basement, 159 Commercial Street London E1 6BJ, be GRANTED with conditions.
Sale of Alcohol (on sales)
Monday to Thursday from 11:00 hours to 22:30 hours
Friday and Saturday from 11:00 hours to 23:30 hours
Sunday from 11:00 hours to 21:30 hours
The Provision of Late Night Refreshments
Friday and Saturday from 23:00 hours to 23:30 hours
The Provision of Regulated Entertainment (recorded music)
Monday to Thursday from 11:00 hours to 23:00 hours
Friday and Saturday from 11:00 hours to 23:59 hours
Sunday from 11:00 hours to 22:00 hours
Hours Open to the Public
Monday to Thursday from 11:00 hours to 23:00 hours
Friday and Saturday from 11:00 hours to 23:59 hours
Sunday from 11:00 hours to 22:00 hours
Conditions
- No drinks to be taken outside the premises.
- No person shall be employed to solicit for custom or be permitted to solicit for custom for business for the premises in any public place within a 500 meter radius of the premises.
- Clear signage to be placed in the restaurant window stating that the premises supports the Council’s ‘No Touting’ policy.
- A CCTV camera system covering both internal and external to the premises to be installed. The external system to cover both Commercial Street and Fleur De Lis Street.
- The CCTV recordings are to be maintained for 30 days and to be provided upon request to either a Police Officer or an officer of any other Responsible Authority.
- At all times the premises is open, a person who can operate the CCTV system must be present on the premises.
- Alcohol can only be served to either;
(a) patrons seated and dining at the restaurant or,
(b) to patrons in the waiting area who are waiting to be seated to dine.
Informatives
- Smokers are to be encouraged by members of staff to smoke on Commercial Street side and not on residential streets.
- Prominent and clearly legible notices to be displayed at all exits of the premises requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and to leave the premises and area quietly.
- Management to keep regular dialogue with local residents to address concerns in relation to the premises.
At 8.05pm the Chair adjourned the meeting for a short comfort break and reconvened at 8.10pm.
Supporting documents:
- Blackstone cover report, item 4.2 PDF 83 KB
- Blackstone Appendices Only Part 1, item 4.2 PDF 3 MB
- Blackstone Appendices Only Part 2, item 4.2 PDF 3 MB