The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report for a review of an existing premises licence - Sophy, 8–10 King Street, Leicester.
Minutes:
The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report on an application for the review of an existing premises license for Sophy, 8-10 King Street, Leicester.
Jai Dhillon Kumar, Premises License Holder of Sophy was present, he was accompanied by Rashid Aslam, Head Doorman and Ahmet Redjeb Owner of Certified Security. Mr Jefferson Pritchard, Police Constable for Leicestershire Police, accompanied by Nigel Rixon, Licensing Manager of Leicestershire Police and Matthew Robinson the Licensing Enforcement Team Manager were present. Also present were the Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) and the Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.
The Chair led on introductions and outlined the procedure the meeting would follow.
The Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) presented the report and outlined details of the application. It was noted an application was received on the 27th of March 2024 from Leicestershire Police for a review of the existing premises licence for Sophy, 8-10 King Street. The application was made on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.
It was noted that a representation was received on 23rd April 2024 from a member of the public. The representation related to the prevention of public nuisance. The residents had been affected by noise from the bar itself and customers leaving the premises in the early hours.
PC Pritchard was given the opportunity to outline the details of the Police representation, presented a CCTV footage of instances occurring outside of the venue and answered questions from Members.
Mr Jai Dhillon Kumar was given the opportunity to provide supporting information and answered questions from Members.
The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report on an application for the review of an existing premises license for Sophy, 8-10 King Street, Leicester.
Jai Dhillon Kumar, Premises License Holder of Sophy was present, he was accompanied by Rashid Aslam, Head Doorman and Ahmet Redjeb Owner of Certified Security. Mr Jefferson Pritchard, Police Constable for Leicestershire Police, accompanied by Nigel Rixon, Licensing Manager of Leicestershire Police and Matthew Robinson the Licensing Enforcement Team Manager were present. Also present were the Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) and the Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.
The Chair led on introductions and outlined the procedure the meeting would follow.
The Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) presented the report and outlined details of the application. It was noted an application was received on the 27th of March 2024 from Leicestershire Police for a review of the existing premises licence for Sophy, 8-10 King Street. The application was made on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.
It was noted that a representation was received on 23rd April 2024 from a member of the public. The representation related to the prevention of public nuisance. The residents had been affected by noise from the bar itself and customers leaving the premises in the early hours.
PC Pritchard was given the opportunity to outline the details of the Police representation, presented a CCTV footage of instances occurring outside of the venue and answered questions from Members.
Mr Jai Dhillon Kumar was given the opportunity to provide supporting information and answered questions from Members.
Mr Rashid Aslam and Ahmet Redjeb made clarifications regarding the visibility of their SIA badges, their high-visibility jackets and addressed the Sub-Committee and answered questions.
All parties present 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 their 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, Members felt 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, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.
The Chair announced that the decision and reasons would be publicly announced 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 informed the meeting that all but the Governance Support Officers should withdraw from the room. The Sub-Committee 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 Designated Premises Supervisor be REMOVED from the licence.
REASONS FOR THE DECISION
Members accepted the evidence presented by the police and were satisfied that the current Designated Premises Supervisor was not capable and did not have day to day responsibility for running the premises. Members had no confidence that they were able to uphold the licencing objectives in compliance with the requirements of the Licencing Act 2003.
By removing the current Designated Premises Supervisor, members were confident that, once an appropriate and experienced replacement was in post, the premises would be run responsibly and in a manner that would promote and uphold the licensing objectives, and in compliance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.
Members did have concerns regarding the breach of the Premises Licence conditions, however they were confident that such a breach would not occur again in the future and that the Premises Licence Holder would manage the premises in a responsible manner and in a way that would continue to uphold the licensing objectives and in compliance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.
The Sub-Committee’s decision was made in the interests of promoting the licensing objectives, namely the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
Supporting documents: