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Agenda item

Runway East, Ground Floor, 58-64 City Road, EC2A 1AF - New premises licence

Minutes:

The licensing officer reported that the representation on page 30 of the agenda had been withdrawn.  The application for live music had also been withdrawn.  The licensing officer reported that, should the licence for alcohol be granted, live music would be permitted until 11pm under the Live Music Act 2012.

 

The applicant was aware that this was a cumulative policy area and stated that this was not the sort of operation that would add to the cumulative impact.  It was a responsibly run commercial space.  Alcohol would be served indoors and it was anticipated that alcohol sales would make up to 5% of revenue.  There would be a gated entrance with a security guard on duty.

 

In response to questions it was noted that the space would be used as an event space for growing businesses, for networking, for app developers etc. Condition 1 would be applied to the licence which would protect the licence for future users. One resident responded to a letter sent to the objectors inviting them to see the space, he attended the premises and had since withdrawn his representation.  There were already events held at the premises but alcohol was not currently available.

 

RESOLVED

That the application for a new premises licence in respect of Runway East, Ground Floor, 58-64 City Road, EC2A 1AF be granted:-

 

1)           To supply alcohol for consumption on the premises from 12:00 until 23:45 Monday to Friday;  

 

·        The provision of recorded music from 18:00 until midnight Monday to Friday.

·        Opening hours to be 07:00 to midnight Monday to Friday.  

 

2)           Conditions detailed on page 37 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence.

 

REASON 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 took into consideration Licensing Policy 2.  The premises fall within the Bunhillcumulative 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 Sub-Committee also took into consideration licensing policy 7 regarding licensing hours, licensing policy 9 relating to the standards of management and licensing policy 18 regarding noise and the protection of the amenity for residents.

 

Six local resident objections had been received.  There had been no representations made by the responsible authorities. The Sub-Committee heard evidence that the applicant had written to all residents to meet.  One of the residents responded and met with the applicant and concierge. As a result of that meeting, the applicant withdrew their application for live music.  The Sub-Committee noted that the resident concerned also withdrew their representation.

The Sub-Committee heard evidence that the application related to an office providing services for business customers.  There would be access through a security barrier and there was a security guard on duty to sign visitors in and out.  Alcohol was to be sold at business meetings, seminars etc and some of the sale of alcohol would take place as part of the booking for the space.  The premises were not open to the general public.  Alcohol would not be sold continuously but only on occasions when meetings and/or functions took place.  It was not anticipated that the business would be alcohol led.  The Sub-Committee noted that the premises were already in use for functions/events and no complaints had been received.

 

The Sub-Committee concluded that with the conditions offered and with the nature of the premises, the weekday hours of operation and the way that licensable activities would be undertaken as incidental to the main purpose of the business, the applicant had demonstrated that the premises would not add to the cumulative impact or otherwise impact adversely on the promotion of the licensing objectives.

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: