Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillor B Surtees (Chairman), C P Pond and D Dorrell. 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 applicant was his legal representative, Mr Alderman, Office Manager, G Webb and Designed Premises Supervisor (DPS) A Muresan. There were no objectors present.

(a)          The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Compliance Officer, S Moran introduced the application. The application had been made by Mr A Zeka, trading as LL Rare Cow at Waltham Abbey Ltd for a new Premises Licence with the proposed operating schedule;

Proposed Operating Schedule.

Supply of Alcohol (On & Off)

Mon – Wed                 11:00 – 00.00

Thurs – Sat                 11.00 – 01.00

Sun                              12.00 – 00.00

Live and Recorded Music

Mon – Wed                 12.00 – 22.00

Thurs                           12.00 – 23.00

Fri – Sat                      12.00 – 00.00

Sun                              12.00 – 22.00

Late night refreshments

Mon  - Wed                 23.00 – 00.00

Thurs – Sat                 23.00 – 01.00

Sun                              23.00 – 00.00

There had been no representation received from the responsible authorities and 2 representations from interested parties.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Alderman advised that applicant had not been present as he felt that as his first language was not English, this could impact on the Sub-Committee’s decision. Mr Alderman stated that Mr Zeka had gained ownership of the premises in November 2016 and had invested a huge amount of money and time into improving the premises. There had been a late additional supplement for Members, which included a statement from the applicant and information on the current premises menu and facilities.

Mr Alderman advised that the premises had been brought as an ongoing concern following the bankruptcy of the previous owner and this had resulted in the lapse of the premises licence. The new application had requested the same as the previous operating schedule, with the main purpose of the premises being the restaurant and that alcohol was an accompaniment to the meal. Mr Alderman stated that with the steps and conditions set out in the application to promote the four licensing objectives, he could see no reason for the licence not to be granted. There had been no reported incidents of anti social behaviour since 2015 and the pricing of the alcohol was much higher than an off licence and therefore intended not to create a drinking environment.

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

Councillor C P Pond asked whether the restaurant was currently closed. Mr Akerman advised that it was open but only served food with the occasional temporary license applied for events.

Councillor D Dorell asked why they required an off the premises licence. Mr Alderman advised that this allowed customers to take away any alcohol they had not finished i.e. a bottle of wine. He also added that this was in no way an off licence as the price of alcohol was much higher and therefore envisaged this would been a very small element of sales.

Councillor B Surtees asked whether the applicant had any previous licensing experience. Mr Alderman advised that the applicant did not have any previous experience although he had employed a Manager and DPS, whom had previously worked at the premises for four years. Mr Alderman advised that the applicant was currently training to become a DPS as well as A Muresan.

Councillor B Surtees asked about the need for door supervisors. Mr Alderman advised it was part of the risk assessment and normal procedure, if private events were held in the function room. G Webb advised that a private party over 40 people would require a door supervisor.

Councillor C P Pond asked about the requirement of live and recorded music every evening. Mr Alderman advised that it was there more for back ground music.

(d)          Questions for the applicant from the Objector

There were no objectors present.

(e)          Closing Statement from the Applicant

Mr Alderman advised that the applicant was sorry that the licence had lapsed but that he was a responsible person and training for his staff was a priority and clear records were kept. He believed that there was no cause for concern and that the business benefited the local community by employing people and was an asset to the area.

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

The Sub-Committee withdrew from 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 LL Rare Cow at Waltham Abbey Ltd, 58 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey be granted subject to the conditions set out within the application.