Agenda and minutes

Application for a premises licence at Centre News, 169 High Street, Hornchurch. RM11 3XS

PREMISES

Centre News

169 High Street

Hornchurch

Essex

RM11 3XS

DETAILS OF APPLICATION

An application for a premises licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”).

APPLICANTS

Yagneshkumar Brahmbhatt

94 Boleyn Road

London

E7 9QG

1.         Details of the application:

The applicant amended the application at the Hearing to the following:

Seasonal variations

There were no seasonal variations applied for in the application.

Non-standard timings

There were no non-standard timings applied for in the application.

2.         Promotion of the licensing objectives:

The applicant acted in accordance with premises licence regulations 25 and 26 of the Licensing Act 2003 Regulations 2005 relating to the advertising of the application.  The required public notice was installed in the Yellow Advertiser on Wednesday 20 June 2012.

3.         Details of representations

Valid representations may only address the following licensing objectives:

The prevention of crime and disorder

The prevention of public nuisance

The protection of children from harm

Public safety

Three valid representations had been received against the application from interested parties.

Three representations had been received against the application from responsible authorities.

Representation from the interested party

The interested party representations largely addressed the ‘prevention of public nuisance’ licensing objective, as well as the ‘prevention of crime and disorder’ and ‘public safety’ objectives.  It was contended, in summary, that the addition of another premises licence within the Hornchurch Town Centre saturation zone would increase the availability of alcohol to persons who ‘pre-load’ on cheap alcohol before heading to nearby pubs and clubs.  By granting the licence, it would increase the threat to public safety caused by excessive alcohol consumption and increase the likelihood of noise disturbance to local residents.  Reference had also been made to late night street drinkers who urinated in public alleyways adjacent to residential properties.

Councillor John Mylod explained at the hearing that the representations made by the Police the Licensing Authority and the Trading Standards Service had covered many of the points he wished to raise.  Councillor Mylod emphasised the disturbance local residents, suffered as a result of noise caused by intoxicated late night revellers. By granting a further licence, this would increase the availability of alcohol and encourage persons to remain in the town centre rather than leaving for home. He urged the Sub-Committee to uphold the saturation policy and refuse the application.

Representations from Responsible Authorities

Licensing Authority:

The representation from the Licensing Authority was based upon the perceived impact a further licence would have upon Hornchurch Town Centre which had been identified as being under particular stress due to the cumulative effect of the concentration of licensed premises which led to serious problems of public disorder and public nuisance affecting residents, visitors and businesses. The granting of an additional licence would only serve to undermine the Hornchurch Town Centre Saturation Policy which had been introduced to address such problems.

Mr Paul Jones, speaking on behalf of the Licensing Authority, explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.