Agenda item

The Licensing Officer explained there were no updates on this application.

No interested parties were present at the hearing.

The Applicant explained the application was for the restoration of the Hat and Feathers pub. It was noted that the area has been successfully restored to its former glory, with a hotel now attached to the side. Concerns from residents were raised regarding potential noise and nuisance from entertainment activities. However, there would have been limited entertainment, it was emphasised that obtaining a license was necessary to enable patrons to enjoy refreshments and to facilitate licensable activities, if they do occur.

It was proposed that the entire premises be licensed, primarily to provide mini bars in the rooms. It was emphasised that the applicant had significant interest in minimising noise and nuisance, as there are 170 rooms for guests within the establishment.

The applicant explained that notably, there were no representatives present from the police, Environmental Health, or the Local Authority. And it was highlighted that the proposed activities fell within the framework hours outlined in the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA).

In response to questions from the committee the applicant explained the hotel was to the left side of the Pub facility on Clerkenwell Road and the Pub will be open to the General public.

RESOLVED:

DECISION

The Sub-Committee has decided to GRANT the application for a new premises licence to Hotel Indigo, 2 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5PQ.

1)    The On Sales of Alcohol, from 00:00 until 24:00 Monday to Sunday for guests residing at the hotel.

2)    The On and Off Sales of Alcohol, from 08:00 until 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 08:00 until 00:00 Friday and Saturday for non guests.

3)    The provision of Films, Live Music, Recorded Music from 08:00 until 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 08:00 until 00:00 Friday and Saturday.

4)    The provision of Late Night Refreshment from 23:00 until 05:00 Monday to Sunday for guests residing at the hotel.

5)    The provision of Late Night Refreshment from 23:00 until 00:00 Friday and Saturday to Non-Guests.

6)    All activities above, from the end of permitted hours on New Years Eve, until the start of permitted hours on New Years Day

7)    Opening hours 00:00 until 24:00 Monday to Sunday

Conditions detailed on pages 122 to 124 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 the Bunhill 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.

Five local resident objections had been received but they did not attend. Conditions had been agreed with the Noise team and the Police.

The Sub-Committee noted that the hours sought were within the framework hours specified in licensing policy 6, in respect of patrons who were not guests of the hotel. It appeared from some of the resident objections that there could have been some confusion as to the hours that alcohol and late-night refreshment would be available to non-guests.

The Sub-Committee heard evidence from the applicant’s representative that the premises are not entertainment focused, the premises are a hotel with a restaurant and the old Hat and Feathers pub. The pub had been brought back to its former glory and would be open to the general public. The premises were keen to mitigate noise and nuisance because they did not want to disturb their own guests.

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that granting the premises licence for the hours specified in licensing policy 6 and with the agreed conditions was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives.