Agenda item

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details an application received from Alma Lodge Hotel Ltd to vary the premises licence for Alma Lodge Hotel 149 Buxton Road, Stockport to extend the hours for licensable activity.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to consider the application for a variation of the Premises Licence at Alma Lodge Hotel 149 Buxton Road, Stockport.

Officer contact: Sarah Tooth on 0161 474 4176 or email: sarah.tooth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application from Alma Lodge Hotel Ltd to vary the premises licence for Alma Lodge Hotel 149 Buxton Road, Stockport to extend the hours for licensable activity.

The applicant attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application. At this stage in the proceedings, the applicant indicated that they would be prepared to amend the application as follows:-

·         to close those doors to the function room at 23.00 hours;

·         that the hours for the playing of live music indoors be reduced to between 12.00 hours to 23.00 hours Sunday to Thursday, and that there be no changes to the current hours Friday and Saturday;

·         that the playing of recorded music be amended to between 12.00 hours to 2300 hours, Sunday to Thursday and between 12.00 hours to 00.00 hours Friday and Saturday save for Sunday Bank Holiday when it would be between 1200 hours and 00.00 hours;

·         that the hours for the sale of alcohol in the function room be limited to no later than midnight save for New Years Eve when the terminal hour would be 01.00 hours;

·         and that there be no flashing lights used in the function room.

Four objectors to the proposal, having previously submitted written representations in relation to the application, also attended the meeting, explained their objections and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application.  The Sub-Committee also considered and were mindful of the further written representation that had been submitted in relation to this application.

There were no representations made by any responsible authority.

The Sub-Committee, having heard the interested parties, proceeded to consider the licensing objectives in respect of the application, together with the relevant parts of the Council’s Licensing Policy and the guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.  However, the decision was reached on consideration of all the arguments given in relation to this specific application.

The Sub-Committee found the following:-

(i)         Crime and Disorder

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective

(ii)        Protection of Children

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective

(iii)       Public Safety

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective

(iv)       Public Nuisance

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective, specifically the representations asserted that the variation of the premises licence at this location would exacerbate existing levels of disturbance and noise nuisance being experienced in the locality from live and recorded music and from patrons gathering outside the premises or when leaving late into the evening.  Further representations were made in relation to nuisance resulting from light emitted from the premises.

However, the Sub-Committee noted with approval the content of the applicant’s operating schedule in relation to this licensing objective and the further amendments to the application proposed by the applicant at the meeting to reduce the hours for licensable activity which it would considered would satisfactorily mitigate against the issues raised during the course of the hearing.

The Sub-Committee therefore determined that no further conditions were appropriate or necessary in order to address the prevention of the public nuisance licensing objective.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the hours for the supply of alcohol, on the premises only, be approved as follows:-

·         11.00 hours to 00.30 hours, Sunday to Thursday.

·         11.00 hours to 02.00 hours, Friday and Saturday.

·         11.00 hours to 02.00 hours, New Year’s Eve.

(2) That the hours for the provision of live music, indoors, be approved as follows:-

·         12.00 hours to 23.00 hours, Sunday to Thursday

·         12.00 hours to 23.30 hours, Friday and Saturday.

·         12.00 hours to 01.00 hours, New Year’s Eve.

(3) That the hours for the provision of recorded music, indoors, be approved as follows:-

·         12.00 hours to 2300 hours, Sunday to Thursday

·         12.00 hours to 00.00 hours, Friday and Saturday

·         1200 hours and 00.00 hours, on Sunday Bank Holidays

·         12.00 hours to 01.00 hours, New Year’s Eve.

(4) That the external doors to the function room be closed at 23.00 hours.

(5) That the hours for the supply of alcohol in the function room be limited to no later than 00.00 hours, Monday to Sunday, save for New Year’s Eve when the terminal hour will be 01.00 hours.

(6) That there be no flashing lights used in the function room

(7) That approval be given to the imposition of those conditions proposed by the applicant as part of the original application to appear on the premises licence in addition to the mandatory conditions.