Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Alison Cornelius be appointed as Chairman.

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

The Committee considered an application to vary a premises licence, under section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Committee heard representations from the Licensing Officer, the Applicant and her Agent, as well as objections from the following residents and Ward Councillors; Cllr Brian Gordon, on behalf of residents from Berkeley Court, Russell Donoff, Ronit Shakhani, Joanne Woolich and Cllr Joan Scannell on behalf of Cllr Helena Hart and Darrel Yawitch.

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.

This is an application to vary the licence for Hollywood 246 Station Road Edgware HA8 7AU. The application as amended seeks extensions to the termination hours for Fridays and Saturdays by one hour to 1.30am for the performance of live and recorded music, late night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol. The closing time would be extended to 2.30am. Finally the condition that alcohol only be served with a meal is to be amended so that meals are available at all times when alcohol may be served but not essential.

The amendments followed negotiations with the Police and their objection has now been withdrawn. There are still however 87 objections received from members of the public and one from a ward councillor.

The representations show a considerable feeling from residents against the application. Some of those representations however are regarded by the Licensing Act 2003 as not being relevant and which we may not therefore consider. These include the need for such premises, the need for increased hours, the evils and effects of alcohol generally, parking, and the general perception that an area may be going downhill.

There are other representations that need to be considered. There are various references to crime and disorder increasing as a result of the premises. The guidance to the Licensing Act makes it clear that the main provider of information and evidence concerning crime and disorder will be the Police. That is not to say that residents cannot raise this issue, but the absence of any objection from the Police is an indication that there is little evidence of a problem with crime and disorder relating to these premises. The Panel has noted the representations on this issue but has not found there to be strong evidence to support them.

Similarly there have been references to the prevention of harm to children. No representations have been received from Safeguarding Children, and there is no evidence to suggest that a one hour extension on Fridays and Saturdays would harm children.

The main licensing objective that needs to be considered is the prevention of public nuisance. There is no doubt but that the premises are in a residential area. There is understandable concern about possible increased noise, litter and anti social behaviour.

The references to noise relate firstly to the playing of music in the premises and additionally the vibration from it. The representations do not all agree on whether the noise causes a disturbance now but clearly there is concern about an extra hour of music being played. There was reference to the increased noise in summer when windows were left open.  Secondly there were many complaints about the noise from customers outside the premises usually using the tables on the pavement in order to smoke and talk. This would seem be to be a very common theme in the representations. Thirdly there was reference to the noise caused by customers leaving the premises. It seems that they tend to talk loudly, whether congregating outside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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