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Agenda item

Borough Wines, 344-346 Essex Road, N1 3PD - Premises licence variation

Minutes:

The licensing officer reported that the applicant had engaged with the responsible authorities and the licensing authority and the noise team had withdrawn their representations.  Following further correspondence with the interested parties, one had withdrawn, one had not responded and another was involved in an exchange of emails with the applicant.  Plans of the premises and amended conditions were tabled and would be interleaved with the agenda.

 

The applicant stated that the shop had been run for just over a year and during this time they had become involved in local events.  This application was in order to use the basement for tasting events, learning to brew, wine or beer tastings which would be pre-booked ticketed events.  They had run temporary event notices and there had been no noise issues around these events.  The numbers were limited and the shop would not be open during these events.  Patrons would be leaving between 9.30 to 11pm and they would be responsible operators. 

 

In response to questions it was noted that all events would be run by themselves.  It would not be a wedding or party venue.  They were engaging with residents and served coffee as well as alcohol.  They offered low key events. The fire door would not be used for entry/exit purposes.  They had held an open day at Christmas and invited local residents.  They considered that the premises would have a positive impact on the community.

 

RESOLVED

1)       That the application for a new premises licence, in respect of Borough Wines, 344-346 Essex Road, N1 3PD, be granted to allow:-

 

a)     The provision for off and on sales of alcohol in the basement from 10 am until 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 11am until 10pm on Sunday.

b)     The provision of recorded music on Mondays to Friday from 4pm until 11pm, on Saturday from 10am until 11pm and on Sunday from 11 am until 10pm.

c)     Opening hours to be 9am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am until 11pm on Sunday.

 

2)       That conditions outlined in appendix 4 and detailed on page 117 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence with the following amendments:-

 

·        The deletion of condition 6.

·        Condition 12 to read as follows:-

 

Consumption of alcohol in the basement shall be limited to tasting and food pairing events. These events shall be pre-booked or ticketed and be in a controlled environment for promoting education around drinks and food. Numbers shall be limited to these events and shall not exceed 40 covers. Events without food shall be limited to measures of 25ml for wine, or 50ml for beer and cider. Events with a substantial food offering shall be limited to measures of 125ml for wine and ½ pint for beer and cider.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Sub-Committee listened to all the evidence and submissions and read all the material. The Sub-Committee reached the decision having given consideration to the Licensing Act 2003, as amended, and its regulations, the national guidance and the Council’s Licensing Policy.

 

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant had agreed conditions with the licensing authority and noise team and that one of the local residents had withdrawn their representation in light of the conditions agreed. 

 

The Sub-Committee heard evidence from the applicant that the premises consisted of a small shop with a large basement area. The shop had been running for just over a year and the applicant was keen to become part of the community.  The applicant wished to use the basement for wine tasting and other education events. The applicant stated that they already had a licence for a nano-brewery and that people could come and learn to brew.  The applicant emphasised that they did not intend to use the basement as a bar. They had already operated some TENs for tasting menus with up and coming young chefs or tasting events with wines or beers from a particular area. These events were always ticketed and there had been no complaints or issues. The applicant confirmed that they would not hire the space out, it was not a restaurant, bar or party venue.

 

The Sub-Committee concluded that with the conditions agreed the grant of the variation would promote the licensing objectives. The applicant was not seeking late hours and had agreed conditions limiting use of the basement to specific events such as wine tasting.  The Sub-Committee noted that there had been no issues or complaints with the premises and that the applicant had engaged with responsible authorities. The Sub-Committee considered the representations from local residents but was of the view that the conditions agreed should deal with concerns relating to noise and public nuisance.

 

The Sub-Committee therefore concluded that the application should be granted.

 

Supporting documents: