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Application for a premise licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for Escape Kent Prison Island, 60-61 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1SR

Meeting: 04/05/2021 - Licensing Act 2003 Sub Committee (Item 71)

71 Application for a premise licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for Escape Kent Prison Island, 60-61 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1SR pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The persons participating in the hearing were identified as follows:

 

Chairman – Councillor Garten

Committee Member – Councillor Mrs Grigg

Committee Member – Councillor Joy

 

Legal Advisor – Mrs Sarah Beasley, supported by Mr Robin Harris

 

Online Facilitator/Democratic Services Officer – Miss Oliviya Parfitt

 

Applicant – Mr Michael Knell

 

Objector – Mr Jamie Morgan (written representations only)

 

Chris (joint owner) was in attendance to observe the proceedings only.

 

All parties confirmed that they were aware of the Sub-Committee hearing procedure and had each received a copy of the hearing procedure document.

 

The Sub-Committee agreed to proceed in the absence of the objector and confirmed that they had read the papers.

 

The Chairman explained that:

 

· The Sub-Committee would allow all parties to put their case fully and make full submissions within a reasonable time frame.

· The procedure would take the form of a discussion led by the Sub-Committee and they would usually permit cross-examination conducted within a reasonable timeframe.

· Any person attending the hearing who behaved in a disruptive manner may be directed to leave the hearing by the Sub-Committee (including temporarily) after which, such person may submit to the Sub-Committee over the Instant messaging facilitating any information which that person would have been entitled to give orally had the person not been required to leave the meeting. If this is not possible, they may be permitted to speak at the Chairman’s Invitation.

The Chairman enquired whether any draft conditions had been agreed between the applicant and other parties; no draft conditions had been agreed.

 

The legal advisor introduced the report, reiterating that the objections from Kent Police had been withdrawn as draft conditions had been agreed with the applicant. The additional objections received were outlined and shown in appendix 5 to the report.

 

The applicant was invited to make their opening remarks and reiterated the draft conditions agreed with Kent Police, with the premises well insulated due to its previous use as a night-time venue. The applicant had their own personal license. The businesses’ nature was described, which included multiple games rooms for players to solve a task in the room that they were assigned. A bar area would be opened, with a mini golf course to be created in the future.

 

In response to questions from the panel Members, the applicant confirmed that it was not intended for the premises to become a drinking venue, but that customers could consume a few drinks before and/or after completing the games exercise. No drinks would be permitted in the games’ rooms, with groups mixing in the premises lobby area only. The venue would be family friendly and it was preferred that customers pre-booked to ensure availability. 

 

In relation to the venue’s capacity, the applicant confirmed that the current maximum was 80 people rather than the 250 stated within the application, which would be monitored by three to four staff members. The additional capacity was to take account of future expansion, such as mini golf, at the premises. Kent Police had recommended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71