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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
LICENSING ACT 2003 SUB COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on Friday 7 June 2019
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Present: |
Councillor Garten (Chairman), B Hinder and Mrs Joy |
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1. Disclosures by Members and Officers
There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.
2. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of lobbying.
3. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.
4. Application for a Premises Licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 for the W House, Warehouse, Rear of 11-15 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1QW
The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m.
The Chairman requested that all those participating in the hearing identified themselves as follows:-
Councillor Patrik Garten – Chairman
Councillor Bob Hinder – Committee Member
Councillor Mrs Denise Joy – Committee Member
Mr Stephen Thomas – Stephen Thomas Law, Spokesperson for the applicant
Mr Steven Moore – MD of the W House Ltd, applicant
Mr John Barnes – proposed General Manager/DPS of the W House
Also in attendance:
Representative from the Kent Messenger
Deputy General Manager from the W House Ltd
Jayne Bolas, Legal Officer
Caroline Matthews, Democratic Services Officer
The Legal Officer advised the Sub-Committee and those present that an email had been received at 7.45 a.m. from the son of the objector, Mr T Modell requesting an adjournment as he had spent the night in A & E in Colchester and did not know when he would be able to leave. He requested that if possible the meeting be rescheduled. Mrs Bolas also advised that until this communication, there had been no previous notice of intention from Mr Modell on whether he was attending or not or wishes to call or produce evidence in support of his objection.
Members of the Sub-Committee were reminded that Regulation 20 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations states that if a party has failed to attend the hearing then the authority may consider it to be necessary in the public interest to adjourn the hearing to a specific date or hold the hearing in the party’s absence. If the Authority decided to hold the hearing in the absence of that party, the authority shall consider at the hearing the application, representations or notice made by that party.
Mr Thomas, on behalf of the applicant, advised the Sub-Committee that in his opinion it was not necessary in the public interest to adjourn the hearing. If Members were minded to proceed they would consider the representation made by Mr Modell in any event. The submission from the objector sets out his concerns in connection with other premises underage issues and fears that the same issue will arise. If he were here he could only reiterate that objection as it stands. The arguments can be tested before a decision is made. The representations are based on fear and fear of potential issues is not a ground for refusal to grant.
The Sub-Committee advised that they would adjourn to consider whether to continue with the proceedings.
Meeting adjourned at 10.10 a.m. and reconvened at 10.15 a.m.
The Legal Advisor stated that Members of the Sub-Committee had considered that there was sufficient evidence to enable the hearing to continue.
The one objector had not provided any confirmation as to whether he was attending or sending a representative and had not provided any evidence to substantiate his allegations so the Sub-Committee were content to consider his written representation as he would not be prejudiced as no new material could be produced.
The Chairman asked all parties to confirm that they were aware of the hearing procedure and that each had a copy of the procedure document.
He also requested that all parties confirm that they had received the letters submitted by the applicant on 3rd June 2019 and then set out the procedure for the hearing.
The Committee Members confirmed that they had pre-read all the papers and the three letters referred to.
The Chairman asked if there were any draft conditions that had been agreed between the applicant and any of the other parties. Mr Thomas, for the applicant, advised that the conditions requested by the Police has been agreed and made part of the operating schedule by the applicant.
The Chairman asked the applicant to provide their opening
remarks.
Mr Thomas advised the Sub-Committee that the W House was a 5 storey building
(to the rear of Week Street) and overlooked Rose Yard. The owners saw it as an
exciting upmarket business providing opportunities for small businesses and
individuals to hire, such as for use as a dance studio, film shows, funeral
wakes and parties etc with restaurant/bar facilities for alcohol and late night
refreshment on each floor.
The conditions that the Police asked for included the requirement for a CCTV system to be installed and a member of staff who could operate the equipment should be on duty at all times the premises are open to the public and alcohol is on sale. After midnight door staff would be outside , there will be an incident book and as this is an event centre there will be risk assessments to address the licensing objectives for each type of event.
Mr Thomas advised that Mr Barnes would be the General Manager and very much wanted to take up the post of DPS. He had a wealth of experience in this area and was Chairman of the Maidstone Night time Economy, in the absence of Police. He has a reference from Chief Inspector Coleman (Retired). He was also responsible for contributing to Maidstone getting the Purple flag which was something new to Maidstone. Mr Thomas also referred to the statement in support provided by Ms Jacobs from the Urban Blue Bus who had described Mr Barnes as an excellent Chairman of the Night time Economy Group.
Mr Thomas also made reference to the fact that the business would be unique to Maidstone providing different types of entertainment and encouraging business at all times of day. It hoped to attract all ages including families and mixed age groups.
The Sub-Committee heard that the Source Bar, which the applicant also owned, asks for identification of everyone who walks through their door, irrespective of age and the allegation of underage drinking was totally refuted. A scanner picks up any fake ID produced. If there were, a concern or objection from the Police or Trading Standards would be expected.
Mr Thomas added that:-
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Challenge 25 was in operation and would be at the W House
·
The report states that no complaints had been received by the
Licensing Authority in relation to the Source Bar.
·
The objector is a commercial rival and there is concern that the
objection arises from concern over possible loss of business.
In response to questions from
Members, it was stated that:
·
All events would be risk assessed and discussed with the Police,
there will be at least one member of door staff outside and the ratio of
security staff id generally 1:100 if there is a high risk/large volume event.
There will be generic risk assessments but anything out of the ordinary will
have its own risk assessment and would be kept on site. This will give
flexibility to the business and reassurance to the Police.
·
The building had three separate staircases and three defined
areas to hold events which all lead off to their own staircase.
·
There was a separate area for VIPs which was on the second floor
·
There was a function room on the third floor, all self contained.
·
There would be a roof top terrace for smoking and general chatter
but would not have a bar or regulated entertainment outside.
·
There was a lift up to all floors.
·
That the Dance Studio at the Hazlitt Theatre had been given the
impression that the Hazlitt wanted to do something else with the Corn Exchange
so this might not be a venue that they could use in the future. They were
exploring use of the W House.
·
Mr Barnes had run Jumping Jaks, Hot Shots and Liquid. Most of
these events had 3,000 capacity. He had also run bars in Romford.
·
Each event will have a different colour wrist band so they would
not be able to accidentally enter another event.
·
The roof top terrace would not have music played on it. The main
purpose was for guests to go out and either have a smoke or enjoy the weather.
·
The W House wanted to tap into the twilight economy which he felt
was declining, other venues such as the Brenchley have an outside courtyard
which was popular.
·
The Rooftop terrace had a capacity of 100 and would not have an
external bar, only the bar in the function room that leads off of this.
·
Stag and Hen Parties would be considered but risk assessed on
entry.
·
That Mr Barnes had worked closely with the Environmental
Enforcement Team in the past to control noise. If the terraced area becomes a
problem with noise then they would move the hours of operation back.
·
Social media is where they look to first and foremost for
advertising events but would also advertise in the KM What’s On guide.
·
When Mr Barnes was not present, there was a Deputy General
Manager who would take responsibility.
·
All security officers would be trained to disperse people
properly from the venue at night so that minimum disruption is caused to
residents living in the town centre.
·
Mr Thomas advised that he provides training for the staff on
licensing issues.
·
There would be a base of 10 full time staff coupled with part
time staff.
·
The business wanted to have flexibility like the Source Bar so
applied for a 24 hour licence but it does not mean they would have to use it.
·
There is dedicated First Aid Room in the basement with well
stocked first aid equipment. When there are large events, the Urban Blue Bus
would be able to use this facility as well.
In summing up for the applicant, Mr Thomas stated that the
conditions requested by the Police will be accepted by the business.
The Chairman adjourned the hearing at 11.40 a.m. and declared that
the sub-Committee would retire to private session to consider the
application.
The hearing reconvened after
Members of the Sub-Committee had considered the evidence and the Legal Advisor
referred to the amended and additional conditions and the applicant confirmed
that these were possible.
The Chairman announced that the Sub-Committee had agreed to grant the
application subject to modified conditions appropriate for the promotion of the
licensing objectives. The decision notice would be published within five
working days of the meeting.