Agenda item

We received an application to consider an application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for the Mad Platters, 7-9 Bridge Street, Usk NP15 1BQ.

 

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and introduced Members of the Sub Committee, Officers and representatives present.

 

The Principal Licensing Officer presented the key issues, which summarised:

 

A new application for a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 was received by Miss Victoria Lewis for the Mad Platters, 7-9 Bridge Street, Usk  NP15 1BQ for the following:-

 

 Supply of Alcohol (on sales) Monday to Sunday 10.00hrs – 01.00hrs

 Recorded Music (Indoors) Monday to Sunday 10.00hrs – 01.00hrs

 Live Music (Indoors) Monday to Sunday 10.00hrs – 01.00hrs

 Late Night Refreshment Monday to Sunday 23.00hrs – 01.00hrs

 Hours Open to the Public Monday to Sunday 10.00hrs – 01.15hrs

 

It must be noted that The Legislative Reform (Entertainment Licensing) Order 2014 permits live and recorded music for 500 persons between the 08.00hrs.

 

Gwent Police would not object to this application if the following amendments are made to the application:-

 

·         CCTV cameras shall be in place which record all licenced areas of the premises and shall be operational at all times the premises are trading. All recordings shall be retained for a minimum of 28 days and made available to an authorised person upon request. Signage shall be displayed prominently within the premises to indicate CCTV is in operation.

 

·         No alcoholic drinks shall be allowed to be consumed outside the premises.

 

·         Challenge 21. All staff shall check ID of all persons who appear to be less than 21 years. Publicity materials notifying customers of the operation of Challenge 21 shall be displayed at the premises.

 

·         Regulated Activities to cease at midnight on Sunday to Thursday. If live music is being played doors and windows to the front of the premises will be kept closed to minimise sound escape from the building.

                                                        

The applicant agreed to the Police recommendation following a meeting between the applicant, Police Licensing Officer - P.C. Andrew Lewis and Senior Licensing Officer - Mr Christopher Rann.

 

Similarly, a person who made an objection to the initial application referred to above would not object to this application providing regulated entertainment would cease at midnight on Sunday to Thursday and that the following amendment to the condition be made:-

 

·         If regulated recorded music is being played doors and windows to the front of the premises will be kept closed to minimise sound escape from the building.

 

The applicant agreed within a telephone conversation with the Licensing Section to this recommendation.

 

As such, as a result of the applicant agreeing to the changes. The application to be considered is as follows:-

 

 

Supply of Alcohol (On Sales) Sunday to Thursday Friday to Saturday	Start 10.00hrs 10.00hrs	Finish 24.00hrs 01.00hrs
Recorded Music (Indoors) Sunday to Thursday Friday to Saturday	10.00hrs 10.00hrs	24.00hrs 01.00hrs
Live Music (indoors) Sunday to Thursday Friday to Saturday	10:00hrs 10.00hrs	23:00hrs 24.00hrs
Late Night Refreshment Sunday to Thursday Friday to Saturday	23:00hrs 23.00hrs	24:00hrs 01.00hrs
Hours open to the Public Sunday to Thursday Friday to Saturday	10.00hrs 10.00hrs	00.15hrs 01.15hrs

 

The Chair invited the objector Mrs Hughes to speak who raised the following points;

 

·         As a resident of Trelawney House to the rear of The Mad Platters concerns were raised over the nuisance caused by customers leaving the premises late at night. This had already been addressed with the hours of live music being reduced after a discussion with the applicant. 

 

·         Other than that the objector wished the applicant luck with the venture and looked forward to visiting the premises when open.

 

The Chair invited the applicant’s representative County Councillor Sara Jones (at the meeting as a supporter of the applicant, not in her role as a County Councillor) to address the Sub Committee and the following points were noted;

 

·         The venue will be a much needed asset to help revitalize the high street of Usk and a welcome new business.

 

·         The music played on the premises will be recorded conversational level or local acoustic acts, nothing of great volume.

 

·         The applicant has been flexible on all areas of concern raised by residents and Gwent Police.

 

The Chair invited the applicant’s second representative Clive Hughes to address the Sub Committee and the following points were noted;

 

·         Mr Hughes previously had been a licensee in Usk for 15 years and now lived away from the town for approx. 10 years. Coming back to the town he has witnessed the trade decrease and felt the new business would add to the local economy.

 

·         He confirmed that there would be signage telling people not to take bottle/glass outside the premises with wording TBC.

 

·         CCTV will be installed as per the recommendation by Gwent Police.

 

 

The Members were invited to ask questions based on the evidence provided. During discussion we noted:

 

·         Customers will have access to a smoking shelter at the rear of the building and customers will not be allowed to take drinks outside.

 

·         Although there will not be staff manning the door, no one will be allowed on the premises after closing time and staff have a duty of care not to serve anyone who appears intoxicated.

 

·         The approximate capacity of the venue is 60, this is to be confirmed after a risk assessment with the Fire Service.

 

The Chair asked the applicant Victoria Lewis to sum up, in doing so it was noted;

 

·         The venue will support local suppliers, producers and musicians.

 

·         The intention is for the venue to be a relaxed, seated environment with platters of food and a mixologist making cocktails.

 

·         Food will be served until 10.30pm to suit busy lifestyles and offer an alternative to standard takeaways.

 

Following questioning members of the subcommittee and the legal officer left the meeting to take the opportunity to deliberate and discuss the findings.

 

Upon re-commencement, The Chair advised that the Committee had considered the application under the Licensing Act 2003 and resolved to grant a license. In advising the applicant of reasons, the Solicitor highlighted:

 

The sub-committee have considered your application for a premises license for The Mad Platters. We have heard representations from the applicant and residents with concerns.

 

We have also taken into account any other written representations and objections received.

 

In reaching the decision we have had regard to:

 

-          The Licensing Act 2003

-          The licensing objective

-          The Council’s statement of licensing policy

-          The guidance issued by the Home Office

 

In taking into account all of the above matters, any other relevant legislation, for example the Human Rights Act 1998 and all the relevant circumstances of the application, the following points were raised and it was felt that:-

 

This application is a good application; we can’t see any concerns in terms of public nuisance and there will be no increase. Taking into consideration the query of the opening hours which we note have been modified already and that CCTV is installed to the satisfaction of the Police we the Committee grant the license as applied.

 

The applicant and objector may appeal to the Magistrates Court against this decision within 21 days of being notified of the decision.

 

The applicant and objector will receive written confirmation of this decision within 5 working days.