Agenda item

The licensing officer reported that the resident representation had been withdrawn once it was clarified that the application was until midnight. That left two councillor representations. There had been no representation made by responsible authorities.

The applicant stated that the business was a steamed bao bun restaurant offering takeaway. The applicant wished to give the opportunity for customers to purchase alcohol with their food. Staff were fully trained and this training would be refreshed every six months. There was no vertical drinking and the business was not alcohol led. There was an off licence directly opposite which was open 24 hours. The hours proposed were not to cause disturbance to local residents. The food offered was mainly takeaway. The premises was in the Kings Cross cumulative impact area and the business had a responsible ethos, had conditions to minimise disturbance and was looking for a good relationship with residents.

In response to questions it was noted that alcohol proposed to be sold would be wine and beer with no spirits.

RESOLVED

1)     That the application for a new premises licence, in respect of Bunco and Wrap, 53 Caledonian Road, N1, be granted to allow:-

·      The sale of alcohol, on and off sales, from 11am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday and from 11am until midnight Friday and Saturday. 

·      The provision of late night refreshment from 11pm until midnight Friday and Saturday;

·      Opening hours from 8am until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and from 8am until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

2)        Conditions detailed on pages 66 to 68 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence.

REASONS FOR DECISION

This meeting was held under regulations made under the Coronavirus Act 2020 and it was facilitated by Zoom.

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 Policies 2 & 3.  The premises fall within the Kings Cross cumulative impact area.  Licensing policy 3 creates a rebuttable presumption that applications for the grant or variation of premises licences which are likely to add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused following the receipt of representations, unless the applicant can demonstrate in the operation schedule that there will be no negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives.

There were two representations from Ward Councillors based on the fact that the premises was in a cumulative impact zone but they did not attend the meeting.  A resident had objected on the grounds that the premises would be open until 5 am but withdrew on realising this was a misunderstanding. There had been no representations made by the responsible authorities.

The Sub-Committee noted that the hours sought were within the hours specified in licensing policy 6.  Conditions had been agreed with the police and the noise team.

The Sub-Committee heard evidence that this was a licensed restaurant selling steamed buns with a Turkish touch. Take-aways would be aimed at the local community and only wines and beers would be sold with food. There would be no vertical drinking, there would be CCTV and signage reminding customers to respect neighbours. The applicant pursued a responsible ethos and wished to establish a good working relationship with residents and business. Training would incorporate Challenge 25 and there would be a refresher every six months.

The Sub-Committee concluded that the granting of the licence with the agreed conditions would promote the licensing objectives and there would be no negative cumulative impact. The Sub-Committee noted that the hours sought were within the hours specified in licensing policy 5 and 6.  The Sub-Committee was satisfied that the operating schedule demonstrated high standards of management.

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that granting the premises licence was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives and in the public interest.