Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report which asks Members to determine an application for a the grant of a Highways Amenities Licence (Street Café) for premises known as The Guildrooms. The applicant is Mr Kevin Lee on behalf of the business.

The report is 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 4546354.

(Wards affected: Castle)

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report which asked Members to determine an application for the grant of a Highways Amenities Licence (Street Café) for premises known as The Guildrooms, 1-3 Guildhall Lane, Leicester, LE1 5FQ.

The Applicant, Mr Kevin Lee, owner for The Guildrooms was present. Mr Miguel d’Almeida, owner of Almeida Coffee and Juice Bar, was present having made representations.

Also present was the Licensing Enforcement Officer and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer presented the report. It was noted an application was received on 25 August 2022 for the grant of a licence. Within the objection period, two representations were received, one from a Mr d’Almeida and one from Leicester City Councils Licencing Enforcement Team.

The representation from the Licencing Enforcement Team was resolved as the Applicant had agreed to a number of conditions proposed by the Licencing Enforcement Team.

Mr d’Almeida was given the opportunity to outline the details of his representation and answered questions from Members.

Mr Lee was given the opportunity to present his case and answered questions from Members.

All parties were 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 their decision.

The Sub-Committee were also advised of the relevant policy and regulatory code that needed to be taken into account when making their decision,

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

In reaching their decision the Sub-Committee Members had carefully considered the written report presented by the Licensing Enforcement Officer and the written and verbal representations. The Members had also considered the legal advice given to them during the meeting.

The Sub-Committee Members had taken account of the Council’s Street Café Licensing Policy and the Regulators’ Code.

The Chair announced that full reasons for the decision would be confirmed in writing within five working days. The Chair informed the meeting that the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee would be called back to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Chair then asked all but Members of the Sub-Committee and Democratic Support Officers to withdraw from the meeting. Members then deliberated in private to consider their decision.

The Sub-Committee recalled the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee to give advice on the wording of the decision.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a Highways Amenities Licence be GRANTED to Mr Kevin Lee for fourteen tables, 28 chairs and enclosing barriers to be placed at The Guildrooms on 1-3 Guildhall Lane, Leicester in accordance with the Licensed Plan seven days a week from 9:30am to 8pm, subject to the Council’s standard conditions and the additional conditions requested by the Licensing Enforcement Team.

The applicant would be provided for the reasons for the decisions in writing within 5 working days.