Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor B. McEldowney be appointed Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

There were no apologies for absence.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council’s Legal Advisor opened the Hearing and asked for nominations for Chairman of the meeting.

The Chairman then welcomed everyone to the Hearing and asked all parties present to provide a brief introduction.

The Sub-Committee then considered an application for a Premises Licence, in respect of Lounge, 58-60 High Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 8EX.

The application was subject to a Hearing in light of a representation received and a further written representation. The basis of the representation was on the grounds of public nuisance.

The Principal Officer (Licensing), Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) presented his report and in doing so drew Members’ attention to the application and supporting documentation, as detailed at Appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

Members were informed that a representation was initially received from one

of the Responsible Authorities, namely West Mercia Police.

However subsequent discussions between the applicant’s representatives

and the Police had concluded with an agreement being reached that had led

the Police to withdraw their representation.

This agreement related to amendments being made to the applicant’s

operating schedule. Specifically, the applicant and the Police had agreed to a

small amendment being made to the wording of one of the steps the applicant

proposed to take to promote the licensing objectives; and the inclusion of a

number of further steps that the applicant would take in order to promote the

licensing objectives. Details of the amendments that the applicant had agreed

to make to their operating schedule was attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

Conditions that were consistent with the applicant’s operating schedule, as amended by agreement with West Mercia Police, would be attached to any premises licence should Sub-Committee Members be minded to grant the application in whole or in part.

Members were further informed that ‘Other Persons’ had submitted a representation with regard to Public Nuisance. Then having been given notice of the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing, had made a further written submission, as they were unable to attend the Sub-Committee Hearing, as detailed on Appendices 4 and 5 to the report.

In response to questions from Members, the Principal Officer (Licensing), WRS confirmed that the premises that was subject to the application (Superdrug) was still currently trading and that he had no information as to when they would cease trading.

At the invitation of the Chairman the applicant’s legal representative, Mr. R. Botkai, Winckworth Sherwood LLP, addressed Sub-Committee Members.

Mr. Botkai took the opportunity to thank the Principal Officer (Licensing), WRS for acting as a good conduit when liaising with the Police and the person who had submitted a representation.

Mr. Botkai informed Members that there were around 200 Loungers licensed premises to date. Not all premises were known as ‘Lounge’, they were called different names, as would the premises in Bromsgrove High Street; should a premises licence be granted.

‘Loungers’ were informal neighbourhood cafés / bars with a good menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch and early evening, it was not a late night drinking venue. Currently Superdrug were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8/23