Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Participants are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery.”

The Chairman made a short address to remind everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast to the internet and would be capable of repeated viewing, which could infringe their human and data protection rights.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct.

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

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

To consider the attached application for a variation to the Premises Licence for Zagros Market, 8 Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DG under the Licensing Act 2003.

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

In attendance for the application was the applicant Mr Suleyman Hayirli and two colleagues from Atlas Licensing as well as Mr Nigel Carter their agent.

There were no objectors present.

(a)            Application before the Sub-Committee

An application was made by Atlas Licensing Limited on behalf of Suleyman Hayirli having applied to the Licensing office at Epping Forest District Council for a new Premises Licence in respect of Zagros Market, 8 Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1DG (Grocery store)

The application was received on 15^th November 2022 and seeks to supply alcohol during the following hours and for consumption OFF the premises:

Monday to Sunday 08:00 hours to 23:00 hours

The opening hours are the same.

All Responsible Authorities have received a copy of the application.

It was advertised at the premises and in the local newspaper. All residents and businesses within 150 metre radius were also informed by letter.

The authority had received 2 objections from local residents.

(b)           Presentation of the Applicant’s case

The applicant’s Agent, Mr N Carter outlined the application. He noted that there had been no objections raised by the responsible authorities and only from two residents, both from the same address.

He noted that:

·       A similar premises nearby and nearby off licences had longer hours and so did a local pub;

·       This was a grocery/convenience store;

·       All suggested conditions had been agreed;

·       Although this premises will complete with the other premises referred it would not adversely affect the four licensing objectives, especially on public nuisance and crime and disorder;

·       He had attempted to engage with the objectors, but they failed to respond to him.

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

The Sub-committee asked the applicant what he thought the most important thing was in managing the store. The applicant replied that he had been doing this for over 15 years and had gained a lot of experience. He would not sell alcohol to under age persons and those that were drunk already, he was aware of the consequences for doing these things.

(d)           Closing Statement from the Applicant

The Applicant had nothing further to add.

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

The Chairman advised that the Licensing Sub-Committee would go into private session to consider the application and left the Council Chamber.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered that the application satisfied the necessary requirements in order to be considered, as it was on the prescribed form, it had been advertised and the relevant notifications given.

The Licensing Sub-Committee had taken into account the relevant written and oral representations, the four licensing objectives and the Council’s Licensing Policy and the Secretary of State’s guidance.

During its deliberations in private session the Sub-Committee received no further advice from the officers present.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a premises licence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To consider the attached application for a variation to the Premises Licence for Vince’s Restaurant and Bar, 58 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1EJ under the Licensing Act 2003.

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

In attendance for the application was the applicant Mr Vincent Martorana.

In attendance objecting to the application was N Glasscock, EFDC Environmental Enforcement Officer and R McManus, Essex Police Senior Licensing Officer.

(a)            Application before the Sub-Committee

An application was made by La Regina Restaurant Limited for a variation to their Premises Licence in respect of Vince’s Restaurant & Bar, 58 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EJ.

The application was received on the 30th November 2022 and seeks to vary the existing hours as follows:

Supply of alcohol;

Monday to Wednesday..........11:00 to 01:30 (currently 11:00 to 00:00)

Thursday to Saturday.............11:00 to 02:30 (currently 11:00 to 01:00)

Sundays.................................12:00 to 01:30 (currently 12:00 to 00:00)

Live and recorded music;

Sunday to Wednesday...........12:00 to 23:00 (currently 12:00 to 22:00)

Thursday................................12:00 to 00:00 (currently 12:00 to 23:00)

Friday to Saturday..................12:00 to 01:30 (currently 12:00 to 00:00)

Late night refreshment;

Sunday to Wednesday...........23:00 to 01:30 (currently 23:00 to 00:00)

Thursday to Saturday.............23:00 to 02:30 (currently 23:00 to 01:00)

Opening hours ;

Monday to Wednesday...........11:00 to 01:30 (currently 11:00 to 00:00)

Thursday to Saturday.............11:00 to 02:30 (currently 11:00 to 01:00)

Sunday…………………………11:00 to 01:30 (currently 12:00 to 00:00)

An additional hour Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, New Year's Eve / day to start of permitted hours on the following day. (as before)

The consultation period ran from 1st December 2022 to 28th December 2022.

All Responsible Authorities had received a copy of the application.

It was advertised at the premises and in the local newspaper. All residents and businesses within 150 metre radius were also informed by letter.

The authority has received:

            3 objections from local residents

            1 objection from the Council’s Safer Communities Department

            1 objection from Essex Police

(b)        Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

The applicant, Mr V Martorana outlined his application and advised that the restaurant business had changed since Covid, the hours they were open were not sufficient for the business they were doing and there were now more private events. There was also another premise across the road that had a 2am licence and they were losing customers to this establishment. They will be trying to retain customers that would normally go across the road.

(c)        Questions for the Applicant from the Objectors

There were no questions from the objectors.

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

The Sub-Committee asked the following questions:

How necessary was it to stay open so long, was it just to complete with you competitor or was it for the viability of your business. The applicant said they were all entwined, people leave at 11pm to go across the road and continue drinking.  Smaller parties are getting rarer, and we were losing money. They had seen a 25% decrease in sales over the last 2 years, now the bulk of the business was events  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.