Agenda item

The licensing officer reported that condition 29 as detailed in the report should be deleted.  The licensing officer had tried to engage with the objector regarding the application on three occasions but had received no response.

The applicant reported that he had lived in the area for 20 years.  The application was for a smart cocktail bar with music.  Off supplies of alcohol were restricted to those customers seated at outside tables and chairs.  Customers would be given 30 minutes to leave the premises quietly at the end of the day.  The underground would be running 24 hours from September 2015 and cabs were easily obtainable from Stroud Green Road.  There were no residents above, either side or opposite the premises. 

In response to questions it was noted that customers would be brought inside the premises at 10:30.  It was expected that there would be seating for 8 people outside.  There would be no vertical drinking and there would be waiter service at tables. The music would be background.  There was capacity for 75 customers seated with no standing.  The applicant had previous experience in a cocktail bar.  It was confirmed that music would finish at midnight and customers would leave by half past midnight.

RESOLVED

a) That the application for a new premises licence in respect of Coupe Bar, Unit 2, 5-7 Wells Terrace, N4 be granted:-

i)       To permit the premises to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises and the provision of recorded music on Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 11:00pm and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 until midnight.

ii)      To allow the provision of late night refreshment on Friday and Saturday from 23:00 until midnight.

b) That conditions as outlined in appendix 3 as detailed on page 68-70 of the agenda be applied to the licence subject to the deletion of condition 29.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Sub-Committee 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 took into consideration Licensing Policy 2.  The premises fall under the Holloway and Finsbury Parkcumulative impact area.  Licensing policy 2 creates a rebuttable presumption that applications for new premises licences that are likely to add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused, unless an applicant can demonstrate why the operation of the premises involved will not add to the cumulative impact or otherwise impact adversely on the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The application was for on premises sales of alcohol, the playing of recorded music and the provision of late night refreshment. The proposed premises are a “stylish Cocktail Bar selling quality food and drinks.” Customers will be able to purchase craft beers, quality wines while eating tapas and listening to quiet jazz music.

The Sub-Committee considered the representations made by the applicant and the written submission made by one of the residents. The Sub-Committee noted that the responsible authorities did not oppose the application and made no representations.

The Sub Committee was satisfied that the proposed conditions, the hours of business, the nature of the business were such that the granting of the application would not add to the cumulative impact or otherwise impact adversely on the promoting of the licensing objectives and the application was accordingly granted.