Issue - meetings

The licensing officer reported that the public health submission was not in the report and had just been circulated to members.  The applicant had also not received this submission and the licensing officer invited the licensee’s representative to make comments regarding this.  Further submissions that were circulated were CCTV evidence from the police and policies from the licensee’s representative which included proposed licensing conditions.

The police officer stated that a number of incidents had occurred at the premises and two officer panel meetings had been held to discuss management of the premises.  It had been agreed that the licence holder submit a variation to add conditions to the licence but this had not been submitted.  The police representative reported that conditions had now been agreed with all parties except one relating to SIA door supervisors. The police were asking for at least one door supervisor on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm until closing time and a risk assessment be carried out for more if required.  The premises were agreeing door supervisors for Saturday only. The police representative reported that there had been a series of incidents and there had been a loss of confidence that the premises could uphold the licensing objectives of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. These were detailed in the papers. Following the Covid lockdown there had been three visits to the premises on the 3, 7 and 9 April where there had been non-compliance with social distancing and the premises were asked to attend an officer panel on the 22 April 2020. The designated premises supervisor was not present on the 7 July. Following further incidents documented in the agenda there was a further panel meeting on the 29 April 2021 and on the 8 May the police met at the premises. On that same day a member of the public called the police to a large scale disturbance from customers outside the premises. On the 25 May staff called the police as customers were refusing to leave and staff could not deal with this issue. Body worn footage of this incident had been circulated and it had also shown the co-owner who appeared to be intoxicated.  There had been a large number of issues and some agreement had been reached. It was considered that these issues would not have occurred if there had been an SIA presence.

In response to questions, it was considered that despite multiple visits things had not improved. In relation to the incidents detailed on CCTV it appeared that drinks had been provided after hours.

The Licensing Authority stated that there was a long history of non-compliance with Covid contraventions. A s80 noise abatement notice had been served in 2019 despite noise conditions on the current licence. She fully supported the need for SIA door supervisors and the extra conditions proposed and fully supported the review by the police. The officer from public health stated that she was in support of the conditions indicated by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 269