Agenda item
Application to Review the Premises Licence for the Angel and Crown, 170 Roman Road, London, E2 0RY
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for The Angel and Crown, 170 Roman Road, London E2 0RY. It was noted that the review had been triggered by the Metropolitan Police and supported by local residents.
At the request of the Chair, PC Mark Perry, Metropolitan Police, explained that the pub had a long history of being poorly run and public nuisance associated with the premises. He explained that various visits had been made to the premises and Police have found the following; customers drinking in the bar when they were so intoxicated they could barely stand up unaided, groups of youths hanging around outside the pub drinking alcohol and using nitrous oxide, groups of customers outside drinking on the street, being loud and intimidating. Strong traces of drugs found in the premises and generally found the pub to be poorly run with no effective management. He explained that there had been a series of complaints and reports to the police from residents/neighbours also raising concerns about similar problems.
PC Perry went on to describe other reports from visits that had been made at the premises where he had witnessed customers being served drinks when they were drunk. It was noted that the pub was located right next to residential properties and therefore often caused disturbance to local residents. He explained that he had met with Mr Baldwin, Premises Licence Holder, and as an outcome a minor variation was put in place to reduce the hours and added conditions. This worked well for a few months but then went back to how it was again as SIA Door Staff were not being employed. It was noted that there had been complaints again in June 2017 which were detailed on page 62 of the agenda.
PC Perry concluded by saying that the local gang had taken over the pub, and was openly dealing in drugs etc. Mr Baldwin had failed to hire SIA door staff, and there have been numerous complaints from residents. PC Perry felt that there were no conditions that could be imposed to alleviate the concerns and therefore asked for the licence to be revoked.
Members then heard from Mr Stephen Baldwin, Premise Licence Holder, who explained that he had tried working with the Police, he had installed CCTV cameras and also had cameras installed outside the premises. Mr Baldwin explained that having two SIA door staff was very costly. He said that they now close the premises at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and have had no complaints since September 2017. He stated that he was 66 years old and had 27 years of experience. He said that he and his family used to live above the premises but once the landlords sold the lease he had to move out.
Mr Baldwin explained that he recently went into an agreement with a Mr Anthony Hynes who was going to take over the premises. He got rid of the pool table, games machines and introduced the challenge 25 policy but then left. He explained that all previous staff had been dismissed. It was noted that they generally had loyal customers, but the day to day sales were down especially with the newspapers labelling the pub as the worst pub in London. Mr Baldwin concluded by admitting that he had lost control of the premises but explained that he was in the process of selling the lease and therefore needed the pub to stay open for viewing etc. for potential buyers. He also stressed the issues about the nitrous oxide canisters and that customers that are known to use these have been barred from the premises. He said that the corner the pub had a very wide pavement which attracted people to congregate there and these people were not necessarily customers of the pub.
In response to questions the following was noted;
- That since 4th September 2017, the premises closes at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- There have been no complaints or incidents reported since 4th September 2017.
- PC Perry believed that if the premises closed at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays then the problems would be resolved.
- Mr Baldwin confirmed that he had no intention of opening after 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- The police felt that Mr Baldwin had demonstrated that he was not trustworthy and was not adhering to conditions on the licence.
- Police confirmed that they would be happy for the hours to be reduced on the licence to 7pm on Friday and Saturdays and if there were to be any events after 7pm then there should be an SIA door staff on duty until closing time.
Members retired to consider their decision at 3.00pm and reconvened at 3.20pm.
The Licensing Objectives
In considering the application, Members were required to consider the same in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended), the Licensing Objectives, the Home Office Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and in particular to have regard to the promotion of the four licencing objectives:
- The Prevention of Crime and Disorder;
- Public Safety;
- Prevention of Public Nuisance; and
- The Protection of Children from Harm
Consideration
Each application must be considered on its own merit. The Sub Committee had carefully considered all of the evidence before them and listened to the verbal representations made by PC Mark Perry, Metropolitan Police and from the Licensee, with particular regard to the licensing objectives of crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance.
Members noted the fact that following the reduction in opening hours on Friday and Saturdays to 7pm there had been no complaints from residents or concerns reported to the Police. Members also accepted the agreement from the Licensee that he was happy to modify the hours on his licence to alleviate the concerns the Police had of it attracting public nuisance and disorder to the local area by staying open late on Fridays and Saturdays. It was also noted that the Licensee would continue to run the day to day running of the premises until the business was sold.
Members noted the serious concerns raised about customers drinking outside the premises, leaving glasses outside and causing disturbance to passers-by, therefore Members believed that a condition to restrict people from taking drinks outside the premise would help alleviate some of those concerns raised. Members were also satisfied that a modification of the hours on the license would also relieve the concerns of the police and local residents and avoid any future disturbances.
Accordingly, the Sub Committee unanimously
RESOLVED
That the application for a Review of the Premises Licence for Angel and Crown, 170 Roman Road, London E2 0RY be GRANTED IN PART with conditions imposed.
The hours to be modified on Fridays and Saturdays to the following;
Sale of Alcohol
Fridays and Saturdays from 09:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs.
Regulated Entertainment
Fridays and Saturdays from 09:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs.
Hours premises Open to the Public
Fridays and Saturdays from 09:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs.
Condition
No drinks allowed to be taken outside the premises at any time.
Condition 5 from Annex 2 of the Premises Licence to be replaced with the following condition
Any event that goes beyond 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays. One SIA security staff must be on duty at the premises until the premises are closed and the last customers have left the premises. The security must sign in and out in the record book at the start and end of their shifts and must clearly be identifiable as security.
Supporting documents: