Agenda item
Application for a New Premises Licence for Sticks and Balls Snooker LTD Unit F2 88 Mile End Road London E2 4UN
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Sticks and Balls Snooker Ltd, Unit F2 88 Mile End Road, London E2 4UN. It was noted that objections had been received on behalf of two local residents.
At the request of the Chair, Mr David Burnham, Proposed Designated Premises Supervisor and representing the Applicant explained that the premises had been trading for 2 years and had clientele between the ages of 20-70 year olds. It was community orientated and a community business. He explained that there were security measures in place and was a Members only club. It was noted that all identifications were checked with the Police, and that they had upgraded and installed their CCTV camera system and were willing to share these with responsible authorities.
It was noted that the premises would operate a Challenge 25 policy, had a code of conduct in relation to drugs use, staff were trained regularly and management were part of the local Pubwatch scheme. Incident and accident logs were kept and the premise had fully compliant fire equipment and alarm systems. Mr Burnham stated that if the application was granted, alcoholic drinks would be no higher than 4% abv. They would also sell light snacks such as crisps and soft drinks. It was further noted that staff cleaned inside and outside the premises on a daily basis, and security measures were in place where members have to buzz in and out for entry and exit from the premises, which allowed staff to have control over who enters and leaves the premises.
Members then heard from Ms Danuta Wojtowicz, resident objector who also spoke on behalf of another resident objector, Mr Howard Spratt. She explained that the area was secluded and had problems of anti-social behaviour (ASB). She explained that it was a residential area and the use of the courtyard area would affect a much wider range of residents. She described some of the issues of ASB and was of the view that premises selling alcohol would exacerbate the issues of public nuisance and crime and disorder in the local area.
Ms Wojtowicz explained that premises selling alcohol would completely change the nature of the area and increase further night time disorder. She also questioned how customers smoking and drinking would be managed.
In response to questions the following was noted;
- That there was a designated smoking area and there were usually 1-2 smokers outside at any one time.
- It was noted that there were multiple businesses in close proximity.
- The number of smokers could be controlled as customers have to be let in and out through the security door so this could be monitored easily.
- That it was a small snooker club with the sale of alcoholic beverages to be ancillary to that. The Applicant did not propose selling high strength alcohol above 4% abv. The Applicant was happy for that to be a condition of any premises licence granted.
- If members of the club were found to be in possession of drugs or any other issues then they would be banned, and have good measures and practices in place to monitor this.
- That there were 3 pool tables, 11 snooker tables. There were 2 parking spaces available which were used by staff.
- That the average number of people in the premises at any one time was 30.
- The Applicant was happy to agree to conditions proposed by Responsible Authorities.
- That the area was dark and dingy, unclean and not well lit.
- That during the 2 years of trading, there have been no issues of ASB linked to the premises.
- There were many other premises in the area and hard to prove a link with ASB to any particular premises.
- That the premises had been seen to be operating beyond opening hours.
- That there was history of problems in the area but not linked to these particular premises.
- That during a visit by Police and Licensing Officers, alcohol was found on the premises, this was then removed straightaway as the previous management were unaware that a licence was required. As a result an application for a premise licence had been made.
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;
- The Prevention of Public Nuisance; and
- The Protection of Children from Harm.
Consideration
Each application must be considered on its own merits. The Chair confirmed that the Sub-Committee had carefully considered all of the evidence before them and the oral representations made at the meeting by Applicant and the Objector.
Members listened to the objector and her general concerns of anti-social behaviour around the close vicinity of the premises. However there was no clear evidence linking the particular premises to any previous incidents of anti-social behaviour or public nuisance as the premises was one of many other venues in its close vicinity.
Members decided that a reduction in the hours on the weekends would help create a balance for the local residents and help reduce the risk of disturbances later into the night.
Members welcomed the efforts made by the Applicant in accepting the conditions proposed by the Police as well as proposing conditions in their operating schedule and agreeing to conditions suggested by the Sub-Committee in restricting the strength of alcohol sold and limiting the number of smokers allowed to smoke outside the premises as any one time. These conditions, together with those agreed with the Tower Hamlets Police Licensing, gave Members the assurance that public nuisance, would be prevented.
Therefore, Members made a decision and the decision was unanimous. Members granted the application with conditions.
Accordingly, the Sub Committee unanimously
RESOLVED
That the application for a New Premises Licence for Sticks and Balls Snooker Ltd, Unit F2, 88 Mile End Road London E2 4UN be GRANTED in part with conditions.
Sale of Alcohol (on sales & indoors only )
Monday to Sunday 11:00 hours – 23:00 hours
Hours premise is open
to the public:
Monday to Sunday from 09:00 hours – 00:00 hours (midnight)
Non-standard timings
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve to have licensable activities to be extended to 01:00 the following day.
Conditions
1.1 The premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system as per the minimum requirements of the Tower Hamlets Police Licensing Team. All entry and exit points will be covered enabling frontal identification of every person entering in any light condition. The CCTV system shall continually record whilst the premises is open for licensable activities and during all times when customers remain on the premises. All recordings shall be stored for a minimum period of 31 days with date and time stamping. Viewing of recordings shall be made available immediately upon the request of Police or authorised officer throughout the entire 31 day period.
1.2 A staff member from the premises who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be on the premises at all times when the premises are open. This staff member must be able to provide a Police or authorised council officer copies of recent CCTV images or data with the absolute minimum of delay when requested.
1.3 An incident log shall be kept at the premises, and be available on request to the Police or an authorised officer. It must be completed within 24 hours of any incident and will record the following:
a) all crimes reported to the venue;
b) all ejections of patrons;
c) any complaints received concerning crime and disorder
d) any incidents of disorder;
e) all seizures of drugs or offensive weapons;
f) any faults in the CCTV system, searching equipment or
scanning equipment;
g) any refusal of the sale of alcohol;
h) any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service.
1.4 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.
1.5 There shall be no drinks allowed to be consumed outside the premises.
1.6 No more than three smokers to be allowed to smoke outside the premises at any one time.
1.7 This premises will not sell any beer, larger or cider that exceeds the strength of 4.0% abv or higher,
Supporting documents:
- Sticks and Balls cover report, item 3.1 PDF 346 KB
- Sticks and Balls Appendices Only, item 3.1 PDF 3 MB