03
The Members received and considered a report from the Licensing Officer.
The Committee were asked to consider an application for a variation of the premises licence in relation to Le Chateau, 155-156 Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth. The Licensing Officer reported that the applicant has applied to increase the hours for the sale of alcohol (off the premises) to 6:00am to 2:00am each day. It was noted that the current licence permits the sale of alcohol (off the premises) from 8:00am to 23:00pm Monday to Saturday and 10:30am to 22:30pm on Sunday. The Licensing Officer reported that, upon expiry of the 28 day representation period, one representation objecting to the variation application was received from Councillor Martin, Ward Councillor for Yarmouth Central and Northgate.
Members were asked to decide on one of the following options:
- Grant the application on the terms requested.
- Modify the conditions of the licence.
- Reject the whole or part of the application.
Councillor G Carpenter asked the Licensing Officer to provide the licensed times for the sale of alcohol (off the premises) at other businesses in this area. The Licensing Officer stated that the applicant provided a list of premises nearby with their closing times as outlined on page 32 of the agenda and noted that this list was accurate with the exception of St Peters Londis which had recently been granted a variation to increase their hours to a 3:00am close. It was added that, as per the list provided by the applicant, there are a number of businesses in the local area with closing times ranging from 23:00pm t0 24 hours a day.
The Chair hereby invited Harsha Wijesinghe (the applicant) to address the Committee.
Ms Wijesinghe explained that the variation application was submitted with the intention of competing with other local businesses that have a later closing time and longer hours for the sale of alcohol (off the premises). It was added that Ms Wijesinghe has operated this business since 2005 and had reportedly not experienced any issues with anti-social behaviour in this time. Ms Wijesinghe added that along with several shops with off licences in the area, there is also a kebab shop next door that is open until 3:00am. It was added that the staff at Le Chateau have a good understanding with the community and Ms Wijesinghe is confident that the extended hours would not have an effect on the local community and it would improve the business.
Councillor G Carpenter stated that there is living accommodation above Le Chateau and asked whether that is occupied by Ms Wijesinghe or someone unrelated to the business. Ms Wijesinghe explained that the living accommodation above the premises is occupied by members of staff who are employed by Le Chateau.
The Chair hereby invited Ms Wijesinghe to give closing statements.
Ms Wijesinghe stated that the conditions on the application had been agreed with the police and reiterated that there is no record of anti-social behaviour at the premises. It was added that Ms Wijesinghe has had a good relationship with the local community for 19 years and therefore believes that these extended hours would not have a negative impact on local residents.
The Members retired to consider their decision in private at 11:16am.
The Committee resumed to give their decision at 11:30am.
The Chair hereby invited Ms O Donovan (Solicitor, Nplaw) to confirm the decision. The Solicitor explained that the Committee had considered all evidence presented before them both in the agenda report and the representations made at the meeting. The Solicitor explained that the Committee's decision was to grant the application for variation of a premises licence but from 8:00am to 2:00am instead of 6:00am to 2:00am each day. It was added that the following conditions, as amended, were added to the operating schedule:
- A CCTV system shall be maintained at the premises covering all public areas which is capable of recording images for a continuous period of at least 28 days. Images must be capable of being downloaded upon reasonable request from representatives of the Police or the Licensing Authority who are entitled to see the images.
- All staff must receive training in the challenge 25 age verification scheme and records of such must be kept on the premises. Challenge 25 signage must also be displayed at prominent positions within the premises.
- The licence holder shall maintain records of all refusals of the sale of alcohol and other incidents that may occur at the premises in a book that will be kept for that purpose and be available for inspection by the police or the local authority.
RESOLVED:-
That the application is approved to extend the hours of the sale of alcohol (off the premises) from 8:00am to 2:00am each day subject to the amendments to the operating schedule as detailed above.