Agenda item
Licensing Act 2003 Application for a New Premises Licence for: Site 112 Columbia Road London E2 7RG
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Ms Samantha Neale, Licensing Officer introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Site, 112 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG. The application was for the sale of alcohol from 08:00 to 23:00 hours, seven days a week. It was noted that objections had been received on behalf of residents.
At the request of the Chair, Ms Eleanor Ward, the Applicant explained the concept of her business and the reasons why she had applied for a sale of alcohol licence. She said her business is a small designer showroom come coffee shop/café with seating for 10 people and standing room for approximately 30 people. She had applied for a sale of alcohol licence in order to expand her business and provide vegan alcoholic drinks alongside the coffee and cakes, which she currently sells. Ms Ward informed Members her normal opening hours, were Monday to Sunday 8:00 hours to 16:00 hours, which she intends to extend to 18:00 hours in the summer months.
Ms Ward said she had previously applied for Temporary Event Notices (TEN’s) for events over the Christmas period but wanted to hold curated events throughout the year. She said the shop had a Zen like feel and would not attract rowdy behaviour. Her business would offer specialist vegan wine and beer and she was working with a local Brewery to source the alcohol. Ms Ward said she had written to the objectors explaining the concept of her business and her intent.
Members then heard from Mr. William Taylor who stated he was concerned about noise nuisance particularly in the evening and the creep of the night time economy in the area. Mr. Taylor stated the area was a corridor between the two Cumulative Impact Zones in the borough and the granting of an alcohol licence would set a precedent for others to follow suit. He also stated that the shop was located across the road from a Primary School and the prevention of harm to children was also a factor for consideration.
In response to questions from Members the following was noted:
· Ms Ward had applied for a sale of alcohol licence from 8:00 hours to 23:00 hours because this was the advice she had been given. However her intention was to hold occasional evening events, such as talks, films and curated events for a selected clientele group, on which occasion vegan cocktails would be served.
· Ms Ward stated she intended to hold such events maybe once or twice a week; however not knowing which day of the week the events would fall on, she had applied for a licence to cover all eventualities. She said she was happy for the Sub-Committee to formalise the hours for the sale of alcohol.
· In response to Members concern about the ‘off sale’ of alcohol and the likelihood of the business attracting anti-social behaviour, Ms Ward stated the sale of alcohol was aimed at a niche market and the alcohol was to cater for Clientele at the high end of the spectrum.
· Members also raised concerns about the size of the shop, which is 30 meters squared, and the estimated number of 30 people standing in a small space.
Members adjourned the meeting at 19:25 hours to deliberate and reconvened at 19:39 hours
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 licensing 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 considered written and verbal representations presented at the meeting from both the Applicant and Objectors with particular regard to the licensing objectives of the prevention of public nuisance, the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm.
The Sub-Committee noted the premises are located in Columbia Road and is a small designer showroom come coffee shop/café with seating for 10 people and standing room for approximately 30 people. Ms Eleanor Ward, the applicant applied for a sale of alcohol licence in order to expand her business and provide vegan alcoholic drinks alongside the coffee and cakes, which she currently sells. Ms Ward informed Members her normal opening hours, were Monday to Sunday 8:00 hours to 16:00 hours, which she intends to extend to 18:00 hours in the summer months.
Members questioned Ms Ward as to why she had applied for a sale of alcohol licence from 8:00 hours to 23:00 hours, in view of her opening hours. Ms Ward responded stating that the intention was to hold occasional evening events, such as talks, films and curated events for a selected clientele group, on which occasion vegan cocktails would be served. She stated she intended to hold such events maybe once or twice a week; however not knowing which day of the week the events would fall on, she had applied for a licence to cover all eventualities.
Members expressed concern about the ‘off sale’ of alcohol and the likelihood of the business attracting anti-social behaviour. Ms Ward stated the sale of alcohol was aimed at a niche market and the alcohol was to cater for Clientele at the high end of the spectrum. However Members felt that ‘off sales’ could result in anti-social behaviour and therefore should be discouraged and restricted where possible. Members also raised concerns about the size of the shop, which is 30 meters squared, and the estimated number of 30 people standing in a small space. The Sub-Committee concluded that on the balance of probability the possibility of people invited to events hosted at the premises could spill out onto the street thus causing a public nuisance.
The Sub-Committee took into account the objectors’ concerns relating to the public nuisance, and anti-social behaviour; and noted the objectors’ concerns about increased noise nuisance, impact upon family environment, if the application were to be granted. The Sub Committee heard from Mr. William Taylor who stated he was concerned about noise nuisance particularly in the evening and the creep of the night time economy in the area. Mr. Taylor stated the area was a corridor between the two Cumulative Impact Zones in the borough and the granting of an alcohol licence would set a precedent for others to follow suit. He also stated that the shop was located across the road from a Primary School and the prevention of harm to children was also a factor for consideration. Members also queried if alcoholic drinks would be sold when families were using the café and were told the sales would be in tandem.
Members reached a decision and the decision was unanimous. Members granted the application subject to conditions to help promote the licensing objectives.
Accordingly, the Sub Committee unanimously:-
RESOLVED
That the application for a New Premises Licence for Site, 112 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG be GRANTED with conditions.
Sale of Alcohol (on sales only)
Monday to Sunday from 12:00 (Noon) to 23:00 hours
Hours premises are open to the public:
Monday to Sunday from 08:00 hours to 23:00 hours
Conditions
1. There shall be no ‘off sales’ of alcohol. There shall be no alcohol sales before midday on any day.
2. There shall be no consumption of alcohol outside the premises.
3. No more than five smokers to be allowed to smoke outside the premises at any one time.
4. All staff whose responsibilities include the retail sale of alcohol shall receive training about the prevention of underage sales on induction and then every 6 months thereafter/ 2 times a year. This training shall be recorded and the records to be available on request to the Police or any authorised officer. The training to include:
a) the operation of the challenge 25 scheme;
b) types of acceptable ID;
c) the method of recording challenges;
d) the likely consequences of making an underage sale;
e) refusing sales to persons who appear to be drunk;
f) proxy sales.
At non private events, door supervisors may be employed. Risk assessment to be carried out.
5. A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme shall 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.
6. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
7. Loudspeakers shall not be located in the entrance lobby or outside the premises building.
8. Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.
9. During opening hours capacity must not exceed 25 customers seated or standing.
10.During opening hours the toilet will be available for customers.
Supporting documents:
- ColumbiaRd.112.SITE.Report, item 4.1 PDF 271 KB
- ColumbiaRd.112 SITE.Appendix.RED_Redacted, item 4.1 PDF 841 KB
- Bailey.B_Redacted, item 4.1 PDF 50 KB
- Crozier.P_Redacted, item 4.1 PDF 235 KB
- Perers.K_Redacted, item 4.1 PDF 236 KB
- Taylor.W_Redacted, item 4.1 PDF 235 KB