Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting

Contact: Governance Service Email: governanceservice@barnet.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of Chairman

Minutes:

RESOLVED that Councillor Barry Rawlings be appointed Chairman for this Licensing Sub-Committee meeting

2.

Absence of Members (If any)

Minutes:

None.

3.

Declaration of Members' Disclosable Pecuniary interests and Non Pecuniary interests (If any)

Minutes:

None.

4.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure pdf icon PDF 230 KB

Minutes:

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

5.

Report of Trading Standards & Licensing Manager - Blvck Restaurant & Lounge pdf icon PDF 6 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to Blvck Restaurant & Lounge, 418B - 422 Watford Way, London, NW7 2QJ (the “Premises”). 

6.

Motion to exclude the Press and Public

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the parties be excluded from the meeting, together with the press and public, in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005.

Prior to exclusion, parties were notified that the decision of the Sub-Committee would be announced within 5 working days.

 

 

7.

Deliberation by the Sub-Committee in Private Session

Minutes:

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

8.

Re-admission of the Press and Public: Announcement of the decision of the Sub-Committee

Minutes:

 

This is an application for a licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to Blvck Restaurant & Lounge, 418B - 422 Watford Way, London, NW7 2QJ (the “Premises”). 

 

The application is for the:

  1. provision of late-night refreshment both inside and outside the Premises during the hours of 23:00 to 05:00 hours, Monday to Sunday; and
  2. premises to be open to the public between 14:00 to 05:00 Monday to Sunday.

 

The Premises are not currently licenced and the Sub-Committee notes that the licence application includes a plan of the Premises, shown at page 27 of the Report.  This shows that the Premises and the licenced area of the same includes the internal and outside area.

 

No representations were received from any of the responsible authorities.  Three representations were received from Ward Councillors.  Two of these representations were withdrawn on the understanding that the Applicant had reduced the opening hours.  It transpired that this was not the case, however, it was too late to reinstate the representations in order for the Councillors to make oral representations at the hearing. 

 

The one objection received from Cllr Duschinsky raised legitimate concerns regarding public nuisance, in particular unnecessary and intrusive nuisance for local residents from the provision of late night refreshments throughout the night.  Cllr Duschinsky made oral submissions to the Sub-Committee during the hearing and advised the Panel that she had received emails from local residents raising their concerns as to the potential opening hours and the negative impact it would have on them. 

 

Given the current COVID 19 pandemic, the licensing Sub-Committee was held by way of a virtual Teams Meeting.   Representations were made by Mr Afzaal Laal, manager of the Premises on behalf of the Applicant, Mr Usman Khan. 

 

Mr Laal advised the Sub-Committee that the restaurant was a Shisha Bar and Lebanese restaurant.  In respect of the concerns regarding noise nuisance, he explained that there are two flats located above the Premises, one of which is under the control of the Premise owners and the other has sound proofing installation. He referred to a neighbouring premises that had recently been granted a premises licence for similar opening hours. Mr Laal was advised by the Chair that this was not something that the Panel could consider as all cases are dealt with on a case by case basis.

 

Mr Laal advised that the outdoor area to the front of the Premises would be converted to an outdoor refreshment area with tables and chairs.  He explained that a bouncer would be present at the Premises from 14:00 until 05:00 hours to prevent noise and it would be provided by a security company.  With regard to the protection of children from harm, Mr Laal advised the panel that no children would be allowed onto the Premises because it is a Shisha bar despite referring to families frequenting the premises on numerous occasions during his submissions.  When questioned on this by the Sub-Committee, he explained that family to him is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Any other Item(s) the Chairman decides are urgent

Minutes:

None.