Agenda item

Application for a new premises licence.

RECEIVED an application for a new premises licence for the premises known as VBO Lounge, Bar and Restaurant, situated at 1-3 Northampton Road, Enfield, EN3 7UL.

NOTED

1.    The introductory statement of Ellie Green, Principal Licensing Officer, including:

a.            The application was for a new premises licence by Vickbenok Limited.

b.            The licensing history of the premises as set out in section one of the report.

c.            The times that had originally been sought by the application and the amended times following agreement to representations from the Police and Licensing Authority as set out in section 2.4 of the report.

d.            Representations had been made by the Licensing Authority and Metropolitan Police to the original application seeking modification in conditions and reduction in hours, which had been agreed by the applicant. Those representations had now been withdrawn.

e.            Representations had been made, against the application, by 20 local residents; referred to as IP1 to IP20 in the report (Annex 2 of the report referred). The residents were representing Gilda Avenue and Duck Lees Lane. The grounds of representation were based on all four of the licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety and protection of children from harm. In the light of the amended times and conditions, IP10 had since withdrawn their representation.

f.             The applicant had provided a response to the objections, set out in Annex 3 of the report. In addition, the Directors of Vickbenok Limited, Victor Ben-Okoh and Carolyn Branson had organised a meeting for local residents to discuss their concerns and respond to issues raised. No residents had attended the meeting.

g.            No residents were in attendance at the hearing.

h.            The conditions arising from this application were set out in Annex 4 of the report.

2.    The statement of Victor Ben-Okoh, Director of Vickbenok Limited (applicant), including:

a.            The personal history and experience of Mr Ben-Okoh as referred to in Annex 3 of the report and outlined to Members at the meeting. It was noted that the premises aimed to be a bespoke hybrid venue designed for multi-purpose use.

b.            The application, as amended, now being sought, as set out in the report.

3.     The questions raised by the Sub-Committee and responses received, including:

a.            The Temporary Event Notices (TENs) that had previously been agreed for the premises as detailed in paragraph 1.8 of the report. In response to questions raised, it was noted that there had been no complaints or issues of concern raised in respect of these events.

b.            The most recent event had taken place on 5 August 2019. Mr Ben-Okoh reported that he had monitored the noise level from the premises and had found it to be significantly less than the noise caused by the traffic passing by the premises.

c.            In response to a question raised, it was confirmed that local residents had been provided with the business telephone number of the applicant.

d.            A discussion took place regarding the capacity of the premises. 200 people had attended the recent event. The Sub-Committee were advised that the capacity of the premises was 350. Members sought confirmation that the numbers in attendance would be monitored and the premises closed if the maximum number was reached. Members also sought information on the expected peak times for attendance. The applicant responded setting out the most popular times for families and for evening events.

e.            The Sub-Committee sought information on how long an evacuation of the premises would take with 350 attendees. In response the applicant stated that a risk assessment had been undertaken but he was unable to provide further detailed information to the Sub-Committee at the hearing.

f.             In response to a representation received the Sub-Committee noted that the building had been erected around a street lamp column. The applicant had sought its removal but the company concerned had been unable to do so. It was noted the premises and surrounding area were sufficiently lit.

4.     The closing statement of Ellie Green, Principal Licensing Officer. The Sub-Committee should consider the oral and written representations received and whether the proposed conditions were appropriate to the application under consideration. The Sub-Committee could decide to grant the application in part or in full; or refuse the application, as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that

1.         In accordance with the principles of Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for this item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Sub-Committee retired, with the legal representative and committee administrator, to consider the application further and then the meeting reconvened in public.

2.         The Chair made the following statement:

“The Chair thanked everyone present for their attendance at the hearing and the representations made. The Licensing Sub-Committee had listened to and considered all the representations made; and, noted the written objections that had been received from local residents and the applicant’s response. The Licensing Sub-Committee agreed to grant the application in full for the hours as set out above. Conditions 1 to 40, in accordance with Annex 4 of the report, were not disputed and had been agreed by all parties to promote the four objectives of the Licensing Act. The Licensing Sub-Committee agreed an additional condition to limit the number of attendees to 300; to be monitored by staff by clicking the attendees in and out of the premises on the grounds of public safety”.

3.    The Licensing Sub-Committee resolved that the application be GRANTED IN FULL as follows:

(i)            Licensing Hours and Activities:

Conditions (in accordance with Annex 4):

(i)            Conditions 1 to 40, which are not disputed

(ii)          AND

Limit to 300 attendees. This to be monitored by staff by “clicking” the attendees in and out of the premises, on the grounds of public safety.