Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits the report on an application for a new premises licence within a Cumulative Impact Zone for Candle Rooms, 25 Gravel Street, Leicester LE1 3AG.

Report attached.  A copy of the associated documentation is attached for Members only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s website at www.Cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by telephoning Democratic Support on 0116 454 6354.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report that required the Sub-Committee to determine an application for a new premises licence within a cumulative impact zone for Candle Rooms, 25 Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG.

The Sub-Committee noted that a representation had been received that necessitated that the application for a new premises licence within a cumulative impact zone had to be considered by the Sub-Committee.

The applicant Mr Madlani, the applicant’s representative Councillor Kitterick, PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police, the Licensing Team Manager and Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee were present. Also present was a reporter from the Leicester Mercury.

Introductions were made and the procedure for the meeting was outlined to those present.

The Licensing Team Manager presented the report. It was noted that a representation had been received from Leicestershire Police on 16^th February 2018 which related to the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, and public safety licensing objectives. There was concern that although the application had made reference to the Cumulative Impact Zone, the applicant had not supplied details of training or their policies. Colour photographs of the outside of the premises were circulated to Members.

PC Webb from Leicestershire Police was given the opportunity to outline the reasons for the representation, and responded to questions from the Sub-Committee and the applicant’s representative.

The applicant and his representative Councillor Kitterick outlined the reasons for the application, and answered questions from Members.

Both parties were then given the opportunity to sum up their positions and make any final comments.

The Sub-Committee received legal advice from the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee in the presence of all those present, and were advised of the options available to them in making a decision. The Sub-Committee were also advised of the relevant policy and statutory guidance that needed to be taken into account when making their decision.

In reaching their decision, the Sub-Committee felt that they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public interest and as such outweighed the public interest of their deliberation taking place with the parties represented present.

The applicant Mr Madlani, Councillor Kitterick, PC Jon Webb, the Licensing Team Manager and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee then withdrew from the meeting.

The Sub-Committee then gave the application full and detailed consideration. The Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee was recalled to the meeting to advise Members on the wording of their decision.

The applicant Mr Madlani, Councillor Kitterick, PC Jon Webb, and the Licensing Team Manager then returned to the meeting.

The Chair informed all persons present that they had recalled the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee for advice on the wording of their decision.

RESOLVED:

that the application for a new premises licence within a Cumulative Impact zone for Candle Rooms, 25 Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG be granted, subject to the conditions consistent with operating schedule, and additional conditions below. An amendment was made to the operating times of all licensable activities on each day, to cease at 22.30hours, with opening hours amended to close at 23.00hours each day:

CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE OPERATING SCHEDULE

1.    The licence holder will ensure the Challenge 21 policy is in operation at the premises;

2.    The licence holder will ensure that CCTV is installed following advice from the Leicestershire Constabulary Crime Reduction Officer and maintained in accordance with the Information Commissioner’s CCTV Code of Practice. 16 cameras will be in operation covering inside and outside the premises. Recordings will be retained for 31 days and be made available for the police or licensing authority to view on request;

3.    The licence holder will ensure SIA Security are employed at all events at a ratio of 2 staff per 100 guests;

4.    The licence holder will ensure that the consumption of alcohol is only within the premises available for people attending pre booked private functions and events and not for members of the general public;

5.    The licence holder will ensure that only plastic or toughened glass containers will be used for the supply of beverages, and not to be taken outside of the premises;

6.    The licence holder will liaise with the police and licensing authority when any event is planned in the vicinity of the premises;

7.    The licence holder will ensure that all children are accompanied by an adult;

8.    Customers will enter and exit via the rear of the car park from Mansfield Street to avoid any spill over onto Gravel Street or Sandacre Street;

9.    The licence holder will keep a register of each client who books an event and their contact numbers and this will be available to the police or licensing authority upon request.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

1.    All staff (paid and unpaid) will receive training on underage sales, conflict management, response to incidents of violence, excessive use of alcohol, possession of drugs and weapons which will be confiscated by management be will be trained to respond to incidents of violence, excessive use of alcohol, possession of drugs and weapons which will be confiscated, and management will be available at all events to monitor activities. Details of the staff receiving training, and who delivered the training with both signatures, to be recorded and kept for two years, and remain on the premises available for inspection by the police or Licensing Authority upon request;

2.    A Refusal and Incident book will be kept available for viewing by the police or licensing authority on request;

3.    The licence holder shall make provision to ensure that premises users safely leave their premises, by:

a.    Providing information on the premises of local taxi companies who can provide safe transportation home: and

b.    Ensuring adequate lighting outside the premises, particularly on paths leading to and from the premises and in car parks.

REASON FOR THE DECISION

The Sub-Committee Members believed that with the set of additional conditions set on the licence, the premises would not impact on the Cumulative Impact Zone.