Agenda item

The licensing officer reported that there had been no representations from the responsible authorities.

A local resident spoke and confirmed that she lived directly adjoining the premises and so shared a party wall with the premises. She stated that her only concerns related to the licensed hours requested and any noise that might be generated as a result of those hours in the evenings.

The Chair asked the licensing officer to outline the status of the planning application. The licensing officer stated that a planning application had been submitted and the operating hours requested were in line with the licensing application. The Chair stated that usually the licensing application was determined after the planning application had been determined, in the circumstances the Sub-Committee was content to decide the licensing application on its merits.

The Chair asked the applicant’s representative to confirm the hours of operation and type of business for the local resident. The applicant’s representative stated that the business was a small coffee shop. Alcohol would be served only with a table meal. The hours being sought were Monday-Sunday 10am-9pm although the applicant would accept reduced hours if required.

In response to a question from a member about why the hours 10am-9pm were being sought, the applicant stated that they wanted to be able to serve a shot of alcohol in a coffee if requested, ancillary to meals. This would include with breakfast and brunch. The applicant stated that although they had applied to serve alcohol until 9pm, the coffee shop was family run and would close by 5pm on Sundays and 7pm Mondays-Saturdays. The applicant stated that if granted a licence, the business would remain as a family run coffee shop. The applicant advised that if the resident had any concerns, these could be raised with him. He stated that he also lived nearby. He advised that he would not sell cheap beers. He had run an off-licence on Essex Road and after selling it, the new owners asked him to continue to run it. He stated that if there was ever a problem created by selling alcohol, he would stop selling it. 

In summary, the resident stated that the applicant had answered her questions. Her only remaining concern was that there was a nearby health centre that dealt with people with issues with alcohol. She confirmed that the applicants had been in constant communication with her and that she trusted them to abide by any conditions set.

The applicant’s representative stated that although the applicant had sought to sell alcohol up until 9pm, they would only be open until 7pm.

RESOLVED:

1) That the application for a new premises licence in respect of Kellys Cafe, 200 New North Road, N1 7BJ, be granted to allow:-

a) the sale of alcohol, on supplies, Monday to Sunday from 10am until 9pm.

b) The premises to be open to the public, Monday to Sunday from 10am to 9pm.

2) Conditions detailed on pages 82 to 83 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence.

REASONS FOR DECISION

This meeting 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.

Two local resident objections and one local business objection had been received. 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.

The Sub-Committee heard evidence from a resident who confirmed that she lived directly adjoining the premises and so shared a party wall with the premises. She stated that her only concerns related to the licensed hours requested and any noise that might be generated as a result of those hours in the evenings. She confirmed that the applicants had been in constant communication with her and that she trusted them to abide by any conditions set.

The Sub-Committee heard evidence from the applicant’s representative who confirmed the contents of the representations. Councillor Williamson asked the applicant to confirm why they had requested licensing hours from 10am up until 9pm. The applicant responded stating that they only intended to open until 7pm. They were a family run business who would be catering for customers who either wanted to have a shot with a morning coffee and brunch or drinks with lunch or dinner.

The resident summarised confirming she was content with the application although she had some reservations about the proximity of a local health centre that dealt with individuals struggling with alcohol issues.

The applicant’s representative summarised the applicant’s submissions emphasising the family led aspect of the business plan and the fact that alcohol would be served only ancillary to food.

The Sub-Committee concluded that the granting of the licence with the agreed conditions would promote the licensing objectives. 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 granting the premises licence was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives and in the public interest.

The Sub-Committee concluded that they would grant the application on the terms and conditions laid out.