Agenda and minutes

The Licensing Panel considered the appointment of a Chairman for the meeting.

Resolved:

That Councillor Hunter be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:-

(1) the type of interest concerned

(2) the nature of the interest concerned; and

(3) whether they have or have not sat on a Planning Committee which has previously considered a planning application in respect of a licensed premises which is also subject to consideration for a premises licence as part of the agenda for this meeting.

If any Member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

(Members are asked to also pay particular attention to the guidance sheet on interests supplied with the agenda).

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

The Chairman explained the procedure for the meeting including that an equal time  of twenty minutes had been allocated for all parties.

a. APPLICATION AND REPRESENTATIONS SUBMITTED. To consider the attached report

b. DETERMINATION OF THE APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE- Café Guest House

c. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE- Café Guest House

The Licensing Panel considered an application for a new Premises Licence in respect of Café Guest House, Wellington Road.

The proposed Designated Premises Supervisor, Mr Dominik Nemecky, was in attendance accompanied by his solicitor, Mr Malcolm Ireland. Mr Ireland outlined the application emphasising that it was a family business run by Ms Nemecka and her son, Mr Nemecky. Mr Ireland highlighted the modest nature of the application and that he considered that there was a certain amount of misunderstanding of the applicant’s aims. The premises would operate as both a bar for use by residents and also a licensed tea room/café for members of the public. He emphasised that Mr Nemecky and Ms Nemecka wished to work with other local hoteliers and that they felt their business would complement the existing business premises on Wellington Road.

Public Objectors Mr and Mrs Bentley accompanied by Mrs Taylor made representations to the Panel. They highlighted their concern regarding the sale of alcohol to non-residents and potential conflicts between residents and non-residents. They emphasised that the premises were not suitable for such dual use.

The Panel considered carefully the evidence submitted by all parties, it expressed concern at the potential conflict in the dual purpose of the premises as a bar for hotel residents and as a licensed premises open to the public. The Panel considered that the only way to address this issue was to limit the sale of alcohol to hotel residents and their bona-fide guests.

Resolved:

That the application in respect of a new Premises Licence for Café Guest House, Wellington Road be granted only in respect of the application for sale of alcohol to hotel residents with the application for the sale of alcohol to non-residents being refused.