Local democracy

Agenda item

TAP & GROWLER, SOUTH SQUARE CENTRE, SOUTH SQUARE, THORNTON, BRADFORD BD13 3ES

The Interim Assistant Director Waste, Fleet and Transport Services will present a report (Document “J”) which outlines an application for variation of a Premises Licence authorising the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment.

 

Members are invited to consider the information and documents referred to in Document “J” and, after hearing interested parties, determine the related application.

 

(Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)

 

Minutes:

The Interim Assistant Director Waste, Fleet and Transport Services presented a report (Document “J”) which outlined an application for variation of a Premises Licence authorising the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment. 

 

The application had been made by the Thornton and Allerton Community Association and a representation of that association addressed the meeting.  He explained that the application was to vary the existing licence to modify the size and shape of the bar area; to de-licence the first floor of the premises and reduce the permitted hours of licensable activity.  The size of the bar would remain the same but it would be located on one floor only.  It was confirmed that the licence had been transferred from a previous tenant of the building to Allerton and Thornton Community Association.

 

The application had received one representation in opposition to the variation and the Panel questioned the reference, in that representation, to the “life and soul being taken out of the community”.  The resident making that representation was not present at the meeting and the representative of the community association was not clear what that statement had meant.  He maintained that the precedent of a bar in the South Square Centre was established; it functioned well and that the application was purely to vary the existing licence.

 

The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) at the premises believed that the references made in the letter of representation referred to a licensed premise located much closer to the correspondents address.  That business was much larger than the Tap and Growler; it operated a beer garden and held large events.  The person who had made the representation lived at the rear of that premise.  The Tap and Growler was located 60 yards from that resident’s home. 

 

In response to questions about the location of the other licensed premise its location was depicted on a map of the area.  The configuration of the buildings in South Square and their proximity to residential properties was also explained. 

 

Following questions about the potential for customers to take drinks into South Square it was confirmed that, on occasions, customers would enjoy the facilities of the bar and café on the cobbles outside of the building.  The whole of the area was licensed but that practice was not encouraged as there were limited places to sit outside and the suitability of the weather restricted the times it would be practical.  Following discussions about the alignment of the buildings it was confirmed that the buildings all faced inwards towards the square and the cobbled area was confined.  South Square faced outwards towards a busy main road. 

 

The application included steps proposed to address the objectives of the Licensing Act and the difference between the Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 schemes were discussed.  It was confirmed that conditions on the existing licence included the requirement for a Challenge 25 scheme to be operated.  The DPS confirmed he wished that condition to remain. 

 

The Panel questioned the management arrangements at the premises and the DPS explained that he leased the building from Thornton and Allerton Community Association.  He and his partner were aware that they and the community association were responsible for the premises.

 

The previous experience of the DPS was queried and he confirmed that he had worked in the licensing industry for 25 years.  His previous experience in setting up bars for large companies and staging events was reported.  In response to questions he maintained that he was confident he could operate in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003. 

 

Resolved –

 

That, having considered all valid representations made by the parties to the hearing; valid written representations received during the statutory period; the published statement of licensing policy and relevant statutory guidance, the Panel grants the application as applied for.

 

(Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)

Supporting documents: