Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor John Marshall be appointed as Chairman.

None.

The Chairman explained the procedure that would be followed at the meeting.

The Committee considered an application to review a premises licence for Premier Inn (Proposed), Chipping Close/St Albans Road, Barnet, EN5 4LP.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the Trading Standards report and the supplementary information that was provided.

RESOLVED that the parties be excluded from the meeting, together with the press and public, in accordance with Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003. (Hearings and Regulations 2005).

The Sub-Committee deliberated in private session, accompanied by the Officer from HB Public Law and the Governance Officer.

Notification of decision following a Licensing Panel hearing to determine the application for a new premises licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to Premier Inn (Proposed), Chipping Close/St Albans Road, Barnet, EN5 4LP (the “Premises”) by Whitbread Group PLC (the “Applicant”).

The application is to allow:

1. the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the Premises from 10:00hrs until 23:00hrs Monday to Sunday for non-residents of the hotel;
2. the sale of alcohol to residents of the hotel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
3. the premises to remain open to non-residents from 06:00hrs until 23:00hrs Monday to Sunday;
4. the premises to remain open to residents of the hotel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Following discussions between the Applicant and the Metropolitan Police the Applicant has agreed to include additional conditions in the application, which are set out in Annex 2 to the Licensing officers report and are not repeated herein. 

No representations were received from any of the responsible authorities, however three representations have been received from local residents.  The representations wholly relate to the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.  The residents make, it is fair to say very similar representations which are:

1. The Premises will be a source of disturbances to local residents, including noise from vehicles dropping off and picking up at unacceptable hours, anti-social behaviour, increased traffic and limitations on parking.
2. Premier Inns throughout the country are used by Councils for emergency social housing.  People who require such accommodation are sometimes in that position due to alcohol dependency.
3. Loss of privacy and light pollution.

The sub-committee heard from Emma Phasey, Group Manager, Community Protection on behalf of Licensing, and presented the licensing report, Tim Shield represented the applicant.

Mr Saul attended and made representations on his own and on behalf of Mr Struthers. In particular, Mr Saul took issue with the 24 hour provision of alcohol to hotel residents and that this provision was specifically removed by the Licensing Act 2003.  Prior to the 2003 Act hotels were authorised to sell alcohol to residents and their private guests only, outside of permitted licensing hours and were able to apply to keep this provision under ‘grandfather rights’.  The panel agree with Mr Sheild’s submission that the Act did not remove this right.

The Panel has considered all the written and oral representations, as well as the relevant statutory legislation, the statutory guidance and Barnet’s Licensing Policy.

The Panel must consider whether the Premises would cause a nuisance in the area and to local residents, either by the conduct of its customers or by noise. Again no evidence is provided as to why this should happen, nor any reasoning even without evidence. Entry after 23:00 hours is by a key card provided to hotel guests only or buzzer entry for guests checking in after 23:00 hours. Alcohol is to be served only to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

None.