Agenda item
Application for a Premises Licence for Travelodge London City, 20 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Ms Corinne Holland Licensing Officer, introduced the report detailing the application for a new premises licence for Travelodge London City, 20 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX. Ms Holland stated the licence was for the sale of alcohol and late night refreshment for the ground floor café-bar /lounge area of the hotel.
She referred Members to appendices 1, 2 and 3 which detailed the application, the site plan and maps of the vicinity. Objections to the application were appended at appendix 6 and 7, pages 181 and 183. The applicants were seeking a 24 hour licence. Discussions had taken place between the Applicant and the Objectors and further conditions were being offered.
The Applicants representative, Mr Andrew Woods was invited by the Sub-Committee to put forward his case for granting a new licence. Mr Woods explained Travelodge was a well-known brand of hotels and was seeking a licence for a new hotel at the location of 20 Middlesex Street. He said this was a flagship hotel with eight floors, which was due to open in June 2018. The licence was sought for the ground floor café/bar area and was not dissimilar to the layout of other hotels. The lounge area would provide 200 covers but was not designed for entertainment such as television watching or music. It was designed to allow guests to relax and converse and enjoy a drink. As the lounge area was considered to be separate to the bedrooms on the upper levels, the sale of alcohol would be considered as an ‘off sale’ with the intention guests would be able to take drinks up to their bedrooms. In discussion with the Objector Mr Woods said his clients had made clear that they would not be allowing off sales from the building itself. Mr Woods stated his clients would be willing to accept a condition of no off sales from the hotel building.
Mr Woods continued stating the hotel was a £27m development and would employ 120 members of staff. It was normal procedure to lock the access to the hotel from 11:00 p.m. with guests only gaining access via a key card. This ensured only guests and their bona-fide visitors had access to the building. The hotel would be fully compliant with other standard conditions such as having CCTV and the supplemental agenda provided Members with detail of the type and nature of training undertaken by staff members. Travelodge is an experienced provider of hotels in London and there are no concerns of crime and disorder or public nuisance emanating from hotels managed and run by the company.
The Objector Mr Shaprio was asked to address the Sub-Committee with his objection. Mr Shaprio stated that whilst there was no doubt the company - Travelodge was a reputable operator, his concern related to the saturation of the Brick Lane area. As a member of the Brick Lane ward panel, he regularly witnessed the consequences of alcohol and the resultant public nuisance and crime and disorder. He said his concern that anyone from the street could come and purchase drinks had been satisfied by the Applicant, however it would be preferable if the hotel limited access to the premises from 10:00 p.m. rather than 11:00 p.m. for its guests.
Members of the Sub-Committee asked the following questions:
· To the Licensing Officer, - Is the premises in the Cumulative Impact Zone?
If you refer to the map on page 191, the hotel is on the border of the CIZ – right on the corner. If it were on the other side of the road it would not fall into the CIZ.
· To the Legal Officer, would it be possible to monitor people taking drinks outside of the hotel?
It would be difficult to police. Mr Woods has offered a condition not to sell to non-residents of the hotel.
Mr Woods further added that from experience the hotel lounge area usually empties by 12:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. and guests retire to their rooms. Guests could order drinks after this time but the lounge area would have to be cleared by 5:00 a.m. for breakfast to be served.
· To the applicant, what is the house price for wine and beer?
A glass of house wine about £6:00, a bottle significantly more £10:00 plus and draught beer £5:00 and above.
· To the applicant, can you clarify how many bedrooms there will be in the hotel and the maximum capacity of guests?
The hotel has 395 bedrooms spread over the eight floors and maximum guests sleeping at the hotel would be 800.
· To the applicant, is the hotel fully compliant with health and safety procedures and are staff trained in the sale of alcohol.
Yes Travelodge have a comprehensive training programme for its staff and this is documented in the supplement agenda provided. Staff members are trained in relation to the sale of alcohol.
Both the Applicant and the Objector were given an opportunity to sum up their arguments, to which both agreed they would be repeating themselves.
As such the Members adjourned at 6:53 p.m. to deliberate and reconvened at 7:07 p.m.
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 has carefully considered all of the evidence before them and considered written and verbal representation from both the applicant and the objectors with particular regard to all four licensing objectives namely, the prevention of public nuisance, the prevention of crime and disorder, the protection of children from harm and public safety.
In considering the application the Sub-Committee felt the Applicant’s request for a new licence did not infringe the licensing objectives outlined above and the condition offered up of no ‘off-sale’ to non-residents of the hotel was an admirable gesture and condition.
The Sub-Committee were not satisfied the Objector had successfully demonstrated that the sale of alcohol would lead to crime and disorder or public nuisance.
Accordingly, the Sub-Committee unanimously
RESOLVED
That the application for a new licence for Travelodge, London City, 20 Middlesex Street, London E1 7EX be GRANTED subject to the conditions specified in points 7.1 to 8.1 (pages 148-149) as agreed:
7.1 A colour digital CCTV system will be installed and maintained to the satisfaction of the Police and Licensing Authority. Recordings from the installed CCTV are to be kept for 31 days, these recordings shall be immediately available for inspection and viewing on the premises by Police and/or licensing Authority officers on request.
7.2 Hard copy recordings of CCTV footage in a playable format must be provided to Police and/or Licensing Authority Officers within 48 hours of their request.
7.3 The premises must ensure the CCTV system is operating and recording 24 hours every day (save for the purpose of maintenance).
7.4. The licence holder will ensure all members of staff are trained in the requirements of the Licensing Act and other relevant legislation.
7.5. Between the hours of 23:00 and 10:00 hours the sale of alcohol will be restricted to hotel residents and bona fide guests of hotel residents.
7.6 After 23:00 hours access to the hotel is restricted to residents with key card.
7.7 Notices shall be prominently displayed near all exits from the premises asking patrons to leave quietly with consideration for neighbours.
7.8 The emptying of bottles into outside bins will be restricted to the hours of 08:00 hours and 22:30 hours.
7.9 Persons under 16 years of age will be accompanied by an adult in the area where licensable activities take place.
8.1 A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme will be operated at the premises where the only acceptable forms of identification are recognised photographic identification cards, such as a driving licence, passport or proof of age card with the PASS Hologram.
In addition to the conditions stated above:
· There shall be no sales to non-residents after 23:00 hours to 10:00 hours the following day.
Supporting documents:
- MiddlesexSt20, item 5. PDF 117 KB
- MiddlesexSt20.Appx_Redacted, item 5. PDF 3 MB
- February 2018 - CSE - Housekeeping Team, item 5. PDF 380 KB
- February 2018 - CSE - Multiskilled Team Members.pptx, item 5. PDF 2 MB
- Travelodge Security Training Part 1, item 5. PDF 18 MB
- Travelodge Security Training Part 2, item 5. PDF 5 MB