The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report for an application for a review of an existing premises licence for Rum and Spice, 2 King Street, Leicester.
Minutes:
The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report on a review of an existing premises licence for Rum and Spice, 2 King Street, Leicester.
PC Jeff Pritchard was present having made representations on behalf of Leicestershire Police. Also present was the Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.
The Licensing Team Manager and Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee informed the Sub-Committee of contact made to the Licensing Team by the Premises License holder, notifying them of their inability to attend the hearing that morning. The Sub-Committee were asked to consider whether, in light of the email from the Premises Licence Holder’s director, the Review hearing should be adjourned. PC Pritchard was invited to make representations. The Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee provided an overview of the current position and legal summary of the options available to the Sub-Committee, which included proceeding with the hearing or agreeing to adjourn the hearing until a later date.
All present beside the Governance Services Officer left the room as Members of the Sub-Committee wished to deliberate in private. The Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee was called back in to provide legal clarification.
Members of the Sub-Committee considered all of the relevant factors for and agaianst an adjournment and decided that given the seriousness of the allegations and the lack of medical evidence or other valid reasons it was in the public interest to proceed.
The Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) presented the report and answered questions from Members. It was noted an application was received on 9th April 2025 from Leicestershire Police.
PC Jeff Pritchard was given the opportunity to outline the details of the Police representation and answered questions from Members and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.
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 statutory guidance that needed to be taken into account when making their decision,
In reaching their decision, the Sub-Committee 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 decisions and reasons would be publicly announced and 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 the review of an existing premises licence for Rum and Spice, 2 King Street, Leicester was REVOKED.
The reasons for the decision would be provided in writing to all parties within five working days.
The Premises Licence Holder would be informed of their right to appeal the decision within 21 days of receiving the decision.
Supporting documents: