Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details an application from Town Bar (Stockport) Limited for a premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 at 26 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 1JE.

The sub committee is asked to determine the application for a Premises Licence by Town Bar (Stockport) Limited in respect of 26 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 1JE.

Officer contact: Sarah Tooth 0161 474 4176 | sarah.tooth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application for a new premises licence to be granted at 26 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 1JE to permit the supply of alcohol on and off the premises and the playing of recorded music (indoors).

Representatives of the applicant attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application.

The Sub-Committee noted that the objectors, although duly notified of the date and time of the hearing, had not advised the Licensing Authority in advance of their intention to attend the hearing and nor had they attended the hearing in person.  The Sub-Committee therefore considered the objection on the basis of the written submissions. There were no representations made by any of the responsible authorities.

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 Home Office. 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 a relevant representation had been received in respect of the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.  Specifically, the representation asserted that the granting of the licence would exacerbate current issues of drunkenness, public urination and vomiting.

(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 received in respect of the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective. The representations asserted that the granting of the licence would have the potential to create issues of noise nuisance associated with patrons entering and leaving the premises late at night.

The sub-committee noted with approval the content of the applicant’s operating schedule in relation to the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective.  Specifically, that doors would remain closed after 22.30 hours to reduce noise emitting from the premises and that staff would check the exterior of the premises on a regular basis.  However, it was determined that in order to satisfactorily address the prevention of public nuisance licensing objective, it would be necessary and appropriate to:

·         reduce the proposed hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises to between 11.00 hours and 01.00 hours, Friday and Saturday.

·         reduce the proposed hours for the playing of recorded music (indoors) to between 23.00 hours and 01.00 hours, Friday and Saturday.

·         impose a condition that no more than six persons be permitted to be outside at the front of the premises for smoking, at any one time.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the hours for the supply of alcohol on and off the premises be approved from:-

·         11.00 hours to 23.00 hours, Sunday to Wednesday.

·         11.00 hours to 00.00 hours, Thursday.

·         11.00 hours to 01.00 hours, Friday and Saturday

·         from the start time on New Year’s Eve to the terminal hour, New Year’s Day.

(2) That the hours for the playing of recorded music indoors be approved from:-

·         23.00 hours to 00.00 hours, Thursday.

·         23.00 hours to 01.00 hours, Friday and Saturday

·         from the start time on New Year’s Eve to the terminal hour, New Year’s Day.

(3) That it be noted that the stated, standard opening times of the premises are as follows:-

·         11.00 hours to 23.30 hours, Sunday to Wednesday.

·         11.00 hours to 00.30 hours, Thursday.

·         11.00 hours to 01.00 hours, Friday and Saturday

·         from the start time on New Year’s Eve to the terminal hour, New Year’s Day.

(4) That no more than six persons be permitted to be outside at the front of the premises for smoking, at any one time.

(5) That approval be given to the imposition of those conditions proposed by the applicant as part of their revised operating schedule to appear on the premises licence in addition to the mandatory conditions.