Agenda item
Application for a New Premises Licence 'Private Members Club', First Floor, 19-23 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
- Meeting of Extraordinary, Licensing Sub Committee, Tuesday, 4th February, 2014 10.30 a.m. (Item 4.2)
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Mr Andrew Heron, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Private Members Club, First Floor, 19-23 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA. It was noted that there had been objections from local residents and the Metropolitan Police.
At the request of the Chair Mr Craig Baylis, Representative for the applicant stated that he was happy to accept the conditions proposed by the police on page 159 of the agenda, he stated that the objections were based on the premises downstairs. He explained that the Private Members Club was a separate premise, separate management and a separate business and referred Members to the conditions proposed on page 96 of the agenda.
It was noted that the club would only be for Members and their guests and for pre booked functions. That it was not for members of the public and people could not join on the day. That member’s of the club would be known by name to management, and would pay an annual fee of £175. The premise would be used lunch meetings meeting clients, social events etc. Mr Baylis referred to the noise measurements contained in the supporting documents and explained that there had been a series of Temporary Events Notices which had caused no problems. He concluded that they were happy to accept the conditions proposed by the Police and accept to limit the premise capacity to 180 people and would charge a membership fee of £175.
At the request of the Chair, Ms Stephanie Knowles, spoke on behalf of Ms Georgina Christou, local resident who stated that the premises were connected to Beach Blanket Babylon (BBB) the premise downstairs as they shared the same Designated Premises Supervisor and also have the same director. She stated that the number of noise complaints were ongoing. It was noted that a successful review in 2008 meant that BBB had to reduce their opening hours from 3am to 1am.
Ms Knowles stated that the customers of BBB were rude, abusive to Ms Christou. She highlighted the impacts of the premises falling within the Cumulative Impact Zone and the fact that the current licensing conditions of BBB are not complied to. Ms Knowles concluded that if one guest can have up to three guests, the premises would have ¾ non-members and ¼ members, identification of all those present would be difficult. She requested that the application not be granted, however if Members were minded to grant the application, then they should reduce the hours and impose strict noise conditions.
Members then heard from PC Mark Perry, Metropolitan Police, supported the statement made by Ms Knowles. He briefly made reference to the cumulative impact zone and the fact that if the premise was granted late opening hours, it would attract people who would cause nuisance and disorder.
Members asked questions about the capacity of the premises, the types of functions that the premises would hold, how many members would be invited to join, and sought clarification on what the link to BBB was and details of the types of noise nuisance that occurred.
Members retired to consider their decision at 11.40am and reconvened at 12.10pm.
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 Licensing Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.
Consideration
Each application must be considered on its own merits and after careful consideration the Chair stated that the Sub Committee had decided to grant the licence in part and add conditions in order to address the concerns raised in relation to the licensing objectives of “the prevention of public nuisance” and ‘the prevention of crime and disorder’.
The Sub Committee noted both comments and representations from the applicant and objectors. Members felt that the applicant demonstrated that there would not be a significant impact by the granting of this licence despite the location of the premises being within the cumulative impact zone. In this regard, the limited capacity was noted and that this premise was a separate undertaking to Beach Blanket Babylon and it would remain so. It was further noted that the terminal hour of 3am was too excessive and to maintain licensing objectives the hours should be the same hours as Beach Blanket Babylon.
Decision
Accordingly, the Sub-Committee unanimously –
RESOLVED
That the application for a New Premises Licence for, Private Members Club,
First Floor, 19-23 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LAbe GRANTED in
part with conditions.
Sale of Alcohol (On sales)
Monday to Sunday from 10:00hrs to 01:00hrs (the following day)
The Provision of Late Night Refreshments (indoors)
Monday to Sunday from 10:00hrs to 01:00hrs (the following day)
Hours premises are open to the public:
Monday to Sunday from 10:00hrs to 01:00hrs (the following day)
Conditions
- CCTV camera system covering both internal and entrance to the premises is to be installed.
- 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 when the premise is open, a person who can operate the CCTV system must be present on the premises.
- That the maximum capacity of the premises shall be for 180 people.
- A drugs policy to be agreed with the Tower Hamlets Police Licensing Unit.
- F696 to be completed if there are outside promoters or DJs.
- The premises shall ooperate as a Private Members Club for use by members and their bona fide guests and for priavte pre-booked functions only.
- There shall be rules of the Club for admission to membership. A list of all the names and addresses of the members of the Club shall be kept on the premises together with a book showing the names of any guests introduced by members and shall be produced on demand for inspection by any authorised Officer or Police Officer.
- Substantial food and non-intoxicating beverages including drinking water shall be available during the whole of the permitted hours in all parts of the premises where intoxicants are provided.
- Members or their guests or those attending a private pre-booked function temporarily leaving the premises for the purpose of smoking shall not take any drinks of any kind with them outside the premises.
- An incident log shall be maintained to ensure that any incidents are properly recorded and information on the incident log will be provided to an authorised officer or police officer on request.
- A minimum of two SIA registered door supervisors shall be provided after 21:00 hours untill closing time to monitor the behaviour of the members and their guests or those attending a private pre-booked funtion entering and leaving the premises.
- No striptease, no nudity and all persons to be decently attired at all times.
- The Deisgnated premises Supervisior shall ensure that the highway and public spaces in the vicinity of the premises are kept free of the litter from the premises at all times.
- No rubbish (including bottles) will be moved, removed or placed in outside areas between 23:00 hours and 08:00 hours.
- Means of escapre provided for the premises shall be maintained unobstructed, free from trip hazards an be immediately available and clearly identified at all times.
- Notices will be displayed reminding members and their guests to leave quietly and respect the local residents amenity.
- A dedicated taxi firm will be available to take members and guests away from the premises quickly and quietly.
- Any member of staff at the premises shall seek crediable photographic proof of age evidence from any guest of a member who appears to be the age of under 18 years and who is seeking access to the premises in order to purchase or consume alcohol on the premises.
Supporting documents:
- Private Members Club cover report, item 4.2 PDF 90 KB
- Private Members Club Appendices Only, item 4.2 PDF 8 MB
- Appendix cover sheet, item 4.2 PDF 17 KB
- Private Members Club Supporting Docs, item 4.2 PDF 2 MB
- Private Members Club Supporting Docs 2, item 4.2 PDF 759 KB