Licensing Act 2003

Notice of Decision

PREMISES

Darts Knight

27 Station Lane

Hornchurch

RM12 6JL

APPLICANT

Mr David James Knight

Details of requested licensable activities

This application for a premises licence is made by Darts Knight LTD under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.  The application was received by Havering’s Licensing Authority on the 11 August 2025.

Details of the application

The applicant applied for the supply of alcohol seven days a week with opening hours between 10:00 to 23:00 hours each day.

Geographical description of the area and description of the building: The premises is located in a parade of purpose-built commercial units in Hornchurch’s town centre. Residential properties are located above the parade of commercial properties. This area might therefore be considered to be of mixed use.

Summary

There was one representation against this application from a neighbouring business.

There were no representations against this application from residents or responsible authorities.

Determination for the new premises licence

Introduction

1.         The Licensing Sub-Committee (“LSC”) has considered an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Darts Knight situated at 27 Station Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6JL (“the premises”).  The application was to permit the following licensable activities:

a.               The supply of alcohol (on-supplies)

2.         The Licensing Authority received written representation from the following person in respect of the application:

a.         Mr Lewis Robson, Director of Motion Remedy  

3.         The LSC was advised that Mr Robson had sent in an email confirming that he would not be attending the hearing and raised whether the premises had considered implementing SIA registered security staff.  The Public Protection Officer presenting the report confirmed this condition was not usual or appropriate for this type of premises. 

4.         The LSC heard oral submissions from the applicant Mr Dave Knight.  He informed the LSC that the booking system to pay for a lane for darts was on the premises’ website, there is no bar but a seating area has been provided, there will be no loud music and doors will be kept shut with the appropriate signage installed inside the premises. The applicant reassured the LSC there will also be no TV inside the premises and, given the capacity of 45 people (including staff) on the premises, even if it was full it would not be exceedingly loud. Mr Knight confirmed there is an external smoking area with table and chairs on the premises’ frontage, however, customers will not be permitted to drink outside. In addition, persons under 16 years are permitted to attend the premises only if accompanied by an adult.

5.         In response to further questions, Mr Knight expressed his willingness to accept a further condition on the premises licence that the sale of alcohol to customers inside the premises would be ancillary to the booking of a lane for playing darts.

Decision

6.      Having considered the written evidence and the oral submissions made during the hearing the LSC decided that the application for a premises licence should be granted as follows:

Opening and closing times of the premises: Monday to Sunday – 10:00 – 23:00 hours

Supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises: Monday to Sunday – 10:00 – 23:00 hours

A further condition is imposed on the premises licence as follows:

The supply of alcohol may only be made to customers for consumption inside the premises, which shall be ancillary to the booking of a lane for the playing of darts at the venue. 

Reasons for the Decision

7.      The LSC must promote the licensing objectives and must have regard to the Secretary of State’s National Guidance created under s.182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy. 

8.         The premises is situated in a Cumulative Impact Zone (“CIZ”). Therefore, there is a rebuttable presumption that the grant of the licence would add to the existing problems in the area.

9.         The LSC carefully considered the agenda, the representation made and the responses between the Applicant and Mr Robson as set out in the agenda.  The LSC decided that the applicant had successfully rebutted the presumption.

10.    Members were satisfied the applicant had demonstrated a good awareness of the CIZ. During the hearing members raised a number of questions relating to the operation of the business and they were satisfied the applicant would manage the business responsibly. They considered the conditions within the operating schedule were adequate and that the applicant had satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised by Mr Robson in the supplementary agenda.

11.    Finally, the applicant had agreed to a further condition as proposed in the hearing that alcohol will only be consumed by those who had booked a lane or were playing darts.  This assured members the sale of alcohol will be responsibly  controlled within the premises. 

Right of Appeal

Any party who has made a relevant representation may appeal to the Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of notification of the decision.

On appeal, the Magistrates’ Court may:

1.         Dismiss the appeal; or

2.         Substitute the decision for another decision which could have been made by the Sub Committee; or

3.      Remit the case to the Sub Committee to dispose of it in accordance with the direction of the Court; and

4.         Make an order for costs as it sees fit.