Agenda item

The Licensing officer explained the applicant had submitted a further document that had been circulated to all parties. They explained there were no local residents present to make verbal representations. Conditions had been agreed with the Police and Noise team.

The applicant explained there had been a long happy 50-year relationship. The theatre had developed local actors and producers and provided a good entertainment space for residents. The theatre productions will carry on in the purpose-built space to lead to more successful and professional productions. The building did have a slightly unusual layout with access gained via upper street but all licensable activities will take place underground in the basement area. All the bars were temporary and moveable structures and there would be no fixed bar. Most shows will be finished by 10pm and patrons are not anticipated to congregate afterwards. There were occasional later shows planned such as comedy and cabaret. The applicant understood there were people living above and their concerns but they did not expect large volumes of people to be leaving late into the night.

In response to questions the applicant explained that the maximum capacity of the venue was 200 seats, with an additional flexible space for around 50 individuals. Full capacity was not expected regularly, reaching the maximum only during theatre performances. Anticipated audience numbers varied depending on the show, with an expectation of a gradual increase in engagement over time. Ticket presales allowed for advance knowledge of attendance, and the venue could be responsive to these numbers with an agreed condition with the police mandated maintaining adequate staff levels. Regarding dispersal, there was a policy in place, with an expectation that people were unlikely to linger after theatre performances. A side exit would be used if two shows were scheduled together and a quick dispersal was desired. The primary intention for the venue was not as a bar but as a theatre that provided drinks, with the expectation that individuals not connected to productions were unlikely to frequent the space regularly. It was also noted that the move to the current premises had been envisioned for at least 10 years.

RESOLVED:

The Sub-Committee has decided to grant the application for a new premises licence to THE KING’S HEAD THEATRE, 116P UPPER STREET, LONDON N1 1AP

1)    The sale by retail of alcohol, on & off supplies, Mondays to Sundays from 10:00 until 00:00;

2)    The performance of plays, the performance of live music, the playing of recorded music and the performance of dance, Mondays to Sundays from 10:00 until 00:00;

3)    The provision of late-night refreshment, Mondays to Sundays from 23:00 until 00:00; and

4)    The premises to be open to the public, Mondays to Sundays from 08:00 until 00:30 the following day.

Conditions detailed on pages 99 to 101 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence.

REASONS 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 Policies 2 & 3.  The premises fall within Angel and Upper Street 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 operating schedule that there will be no negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives.

Seven local resident objections had been received but the residents did not attend. There had been no representations made by the responsible authorities, but conditions had been agreed with the police and noise team.

The Sub-Committee noted that the hours sought were not within the framework hours specified in licensing policy 6.

The applicant explained this was a purpose built space in the Islington square development and it had always been envisaged that this space would be used for the theatre. Although licensing hours had been requested until 00:00 this was to accommodate patrons attending comedy and cabaret shows in the flexible space next to the theatre. 50 people could attend this area and shows would begin at 10pm but maybe only at weekends. The theatre could accommodate up to 200 patrons and shows would generally end at 10pm. There was a dispersal policy and the bar would be available to theatre goers and associates both before, after and during intervals of shows. It was unlikely to attract general members of the public because of its situation inside the premises.

The Sub-Committee considered licensing policy 11, which states ‘the licensing authority wishes to encourage more cultural spaces to be opened in the borough so that the cultural offer is widely available and accessible to residents and visitors.’

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that granting the premises licence with the robust conditions agreed would be unlikely to add to existing cumulative impact, and was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives.