Agenda item

The Sub Committee are to consider an application for full variation premises licence for 3-5 Station Approach, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, WD3 5NE.

The Lead Licensing Officer presented the report and outlined the application.

Members inquired about the proximity of the Applicant’s premises to the property of the Objector. The officer responded indicating that the location might be shown on the map included in the report but noted the absence of the Objector to provide clarification, and advised that she can provide the information later.

The Chair invited the Applicant to put their case to the Sub-Committee.

Mr. Seth reflected on the successful completion of their first anniversary on 18 September, noting the absence of complaints or issues from the surrounding community. The establishment has received positive feedback for its ambiance and food. Measures are in place to maintain order during events, engaging local patrons, displaying clear signage, and employing security personnel to prevent disturbances and prohibit alcohol consumption outside the premises.

Members enquired about the exact time alcohol service will stop and whether the premises would close immediately after or allow a drinking-up time. Mr. Seth clarified that they intend to serve alcohol until 1.00am, with no new admissions after midnight, and customers will have a half hour period to finish drinks and leave, implying closing at 1.30am. The officer clarified that the application seeks permission to extend opening hours until 1.00am on New Year’s Eve, but this does not include drinking-up time, which would require the premises to close at 1.00am sharp. Therefore, it was suggested that drink sales stop at 12.30am to allow a half hour drinking-up period before closing at 1.00am. Mr. Seth agreed to adhere to the original application timings. The officer also provided the location of the objector’s property, in relation to the proximity of the premises, on screen to the Sub-Committee.

Applicant’s sum-up

The Chair asked Mr. Seth to confirm if he had the opportunity to express all his points during the meeting, to which Mr. Seth responded by confirming that he fully expressed everything he intended to say.

Licensing Officer sum-up

The officer clarified that the application was for extending the closing time of the premises on New Year's Eve until 1.00am, and explained that if the licence change is approved by the Sub-Committee, the new timings will be updated and will need to be communicated to all relevant staff. The officer concluded by thanking the participants for their time.

The Chair informed attendees that the Sub-Committee will retire to deliberate, and make a decision, which will be communicated to the Applicant within 5 working days.

Deliberations

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the application for the variation of the premises licence in private. It took into account the representations made on behalf of the Applicant by their representative and the Council’s Lead Licensing Officer. The Sub-Committee also considered the written representation made by the Objector, which was contained in the report although he was not in attendance. Key points of the discussion included; clarifying that the alcohol licence allows serving drinks until 12.30am with the premises closing at 1.00am, and no customers allowed inside the premises after 1.00am. The last entry time is at midnight. The members of the Sub-Committee agreed that no drinks, including alcohol and soft drinks, should be served after 12.30am to comply with licensing regulations and to prevent any anti-social behaviour. The decision to approve the licence with these conditions was agreed unanimously by the Licensing Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee, having reference to the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003, the Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (the Statutory Guidance) and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026;

RESOLVED:

To GRANT the application to vary the existing premises licence to allow the extension of the premises opening hours on New Years Eve to 01:00 to accommodate guests celebrating the occasion.

The extension of the premises opening hours only applies to the night of 31 December into 1 January to permit the sale of alcohol, the playing of live unamplified music and provision of late-night refreshment until 01:00 on 1 January.

CHAIR