Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillor B Surtees, D Dorrell and R Gadsby.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application. In attendance on behalf of the application was the owner, Mr Temez, a business colleague and Mr Temez spokesperson and the objector, a Mr Keegan.

(a)          The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Compliance Office K Tuckey introduced the application. The application had been made for a new premises licence at Lazeppe, 74-75 High Street, Epping for the sale of alcohol Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 23:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 22:30. Two representations from local residents had been received and responses from the Police and Planning department had resulted in negotiated conditions being accepted and add to the licence if granted.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Temez spokesperson advised that the owner had recently purchased the premises following the previous owner running into difficulties. Mr Temez had decided to apply for a new premises licence and not to transfer the previous licence, to establish if there were any local concerns regarding the restaurant. The applicant had considered the objections that had been raised regarding the rear area and had confirmed that there was no intention to use the space as an outdoor seating area and had compiled with the conditions set out by both the Police and Planning department.

(c)          Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

Councillor R Gadsby asked what the opening times were going to be. The spokesperson advised Monday to Saturday 09:30 to 23:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 22:30.

Councillor D Dorrell asked the applicant what the intentions were for the rear area as this space had been cleared. The spokesperson advised that they had cleared the area of rubbish and had no plans for the future of the space at this time, although a cold store had been built in the area as well.

Councillor B Surtees asked the applicant what experience they had in the licensing trade. The spokesperson advised that they did not have any licensing experience but had successfully ran a distribution service and would employ and train staff accordingly.

Councillor B Surtees asked the applicant how he had considered the licensing objectives. The spokesperson advised that they had compiled with the conditions requested by the Police and Planning Department and would employ and train staff adequately.

Councillor B Surtees asked whether the applicant had any other premises licences. The spokesperson advised that Mr Temez did not have any previous premises licence. 

(d)          Questions for the applicant from the Objector

The Objector had no questions for the applicant.

(e)          Presentation of the Objector’s case

Mr Keegan advised that he had objected to the application based on the previous premises license application submitted, as there had been no information on the new premises licence until after the deadline for objections to be submitted. He had concerns about the rear area, as it had been recently cleared (photographs were hand to the Sub-Committee and applicant). He had no objection to the restaurant and after hearing the spokesperson comments about the rear area not being used for anything at present and would have to be applied for, he was quiet happy. 

(f)           Questions for the Objector’s  from the Sub-Committee

There were no questions to the Objector from the Sub-Committee.

(g)          Closing Statement from the Objectors

The Objector had nothing further to add.

(h)          Closing Statement from the Applicant

The spokesperson advised that they would like the restaurant to open as soon as possible and caused no concerns to residents.

(i)            Consideration of the Application by the Sub-Committee

The Chairman asked everyone to leave the chamber while they considered the application in private. During their deliberations the Sub-Committee received no further advice from the officers present.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the application for Premises Licence for The Lazeppe at 74-76 High Street, Epping be granted subject to the application and additional conditions agreed with the Police and Planning department.