Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted that Councillor M Sartin would substitute for Councillor D Sunger for the duration of the meeting.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

No declarations of interest were made by members of the Sub-Committee, pursuant to the Council’s Code of Conduct.

To note the adopted procedure for the conduct of business by the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee noted and agreed the procedure for the conduct of business.

To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this application were Councillors S Neville (Chairman), J M Whitehouse and M Sartin. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduced themselves to the Sub-Committee.

In attendance on behalf of the application was the owner Georgina Whitney and Tom Robertson, Director.

The following objectors were also present, Judith Walker representing the Loughton Residents Association and Stuart Richardson.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

(a)             Application before the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Compliance Officer, H Ibrahim informed the Sub-Committee that an application to vary the Premises Licence had been received in respect of T&G’s Tapas Bar and Bistro, 154 High Road, Loughton IG10 4BE.

The application had been received by the authority on the 23 January 2020.  A copy of the present licence for the premises, the application for variation and the public notice were attached to the agenda.

The applicant was requesting an extension to the current hours for the sale of alcohol and the hours the premises were open to the public as follows:

The application had been properly advertised and the Council had received four representations relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

(b)       Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Ms Whitney informed the Sub-Committee that the current hours were until 5.00pm and that she wanted to extend the licence to be able to sell food and run the premises as a restaurant.

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

Councillor Whitehouse asked if sales of alcohol would be with food only.

The Applicant advised that there was a bar area but it was not big enough for standing room therefore customers would have to wait for a table and would be sold alcohol without food.

Councillor Sartin asked how the previous company had operated.

The Applicant advised that she was not sure as the previous company had only been open for approximately three months.

The Chairman asked the applicant if she was willing to change the hours of business  to close at 11.00pm every night.

The Applicant confirmed that she would be willing to close at 11.00pm Sunday to Thursday but would like to stay open until 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday.

Councillor Sartin asked the applicant why they opened at 7.00am Monday to Saturday and 8.00am on Sunday.

The Applicant advised that she thought they would get the early morning breakfast trade but they had not so she was now opening at 9.00am Monday to Saturday and 10.00am Sunday.

(d)       Questions for the Applicant from the Objectors

Mr Richardson asked the Applicant for clarification as to whether the premises was a restaurant or a bar, it had been referred to as a restaurant, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.