Agenda item

The Panel is asked to consider an application for the variation of a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Panel gave consideration to the application to vary the premises licence made by The Craft Union Pub Company Limited under section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known as Station House, 8 Barden Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1TX. The application related to varying the timings authorised by the current licence for the sale of alcohol.

Careful consideration was given to the written report of the Director of Central Services and Monitoring Officer, the application set out at Annex 2 to the report and the written representation received during the statutory consultation period as set out in Annex 5 to the report. 

The Panel considered the representations and whilst the concerns raised were understood it was felt there was little or no direct, formal evidence of antisocial behaviour arising from these premises.

The Panel was mindful of the statutory guidance concerning the responsibility of licensees for the behaviour of patrons which arose away from the premises and reminded residents of the review process if there were further concerns.

RESOLVED:  That the licence be GRANTED subject to the additional conditions agreed with Kent Police and the Borough Councils Environmental Protection Team, as set out below:

Conditions:

(1)             A CCTV system will be installed and maintained at the premises. Images will be retained for a minimum period of 28 days and copies of images made available to officers of the Responsible Authorities on request.       

(2)             Prominent, clear and legible notices are to be displayed at exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and to leave the premises and the area quietly.

(3)             A Challenge 25 age verification policy will be operated at the premises. The only acceptable form of identification will be a photocard driving licence, passport, military identification or any other Government approved age verification document bearing the PASS holographic logo.

(4)             All staff employed at the premises involved in the sale/supply of alcohol will receive documented training (including refreshers) of their responsibilities in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.

(5)             The DPS will operate a refusals /incident register. It shall detail all incidents of refusals /age challenges/crime and disorder. All entries shall be timed and dated. It shall be produced to the police or officers of the responsible authorities on request.

(6)             Door supervisors will be provided in such numbers, between such times and on such dates as required by a written risk assessment conducted by the designated premises supervisor.

(7)             There shall be no admission/re-admission to the premises after 23.30 Sunday to Thursday and 00.30 Friday and Saturday.

(8)             When determined by the Environmental Protection Team Manager of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council as being necessary, the level of internal amplified sound shall be restricted by the installation and use of a noise limiting device. This shall be installed, set and sealed at a level approved by an acoustic consultant in consultation with the Environmental Protection Team Manager.  The sound limiting device should be used at all times when regulated entertainment is taking place, including all externally promoted events. Only the premises licence holder, or a nominated deputy, and the designated premises supervisor shall have access to the sound limiting device.           

(9)             The inner entrance doors to the front of the premises, the rear external access doors and all windows shall be closed when regulated entertainment is taking place, and at all times after 23:00 until the beginning of the following session except when persons are entering or leaving the premises. During this time, the inner entrance doors to the front of the premises and the rear external access doors shall be promptly closed after persons enter or leave the premises. Prior to the first extended opening hours use of these premises, the opening to the external ventilation fan on the wall adjacent to the rear access doors shall be acoustically treated to the satisfaction of the Environmental Protection Manager of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

(10)         External loud speakers in the garden shall only play ambient music and occasional sporting events. External loud speakers shall only be used from the start of a licensing session to 22:00.

(11)         Outside areas shall be monitored and supervised by management and staff, when occupied, during opening hours and any action taken to manage noise in the outside areas shall be entered in an incident log immediately available to  Police Licensing Officers or authorised officers from the Local Authority upon request.