The Interim Assistant Director Waste, Fleet and Transport Services will present a report (Document “AH which outlines an application for the grant of a premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, the provision of regulated entertainment indoors and the provision of late night refreshment indoors at 51 Westgate, Bradford, BD1 2RD.

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

(Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)

The Licensing Officer advised the Panel that the applicant had requested an adjournment of the hearing as he was unable to attend.  Following consideration of representations made by the West Yorkshire Police it was agreed to continue to hear the application as the applicant and his representative had been given sufficient notice of the hearing.

The representative of West Yorkshire Police advised the Panel that on receiving an application they would research the premises and the application and speak to the applicant about any concerns they may have and discuss where they could assist in achieving the 4 licensing objectives.  This application was received on 17 March 2022 with insufficient information on the use of the premises, the operating hours and how they would meet the 4 licensing objectives.  He attempted to contact the applicant by phone and when he identified himself the caller stopped the call.  He also tried to contact the applicant by email on 22 March but received no reply.  He confirmed that on police records Mr Ozan was also recorded as Mr Hussain, and that when he was in custody he confirmed that he used this alias.  His date of birth and address were also both the same.

The Ward Councillor representing the residents of Baptist Court and surrounding streets who had objected to the application attended the meeting.  She urged the Panel not to grant the application due to the way in which the applicant had conducted the business with issues of noise, rubbish and rodents and concerns raised by West Yorkshire Police.  She added that there had been no consultation by the applicant with residents.  She was extremely concerned about excessive noise and added that from reports by West Yorkshire Police the licence holder seemed to have no control over what happened on the premises.  She urged that the licence only be granted to a person who could act in accordance with the licensing objectives.  She added that some of the residents were unwell and vulnerable and did not feel safe or comfortable in their homes.  Children were unable to sleep at night and this was affecting their studies.

Responses were given to questions as follows:

·         Some of the resident’s properties face the back of the premises and they have had people shouting and screaming outside their homes.

·         This is a new licence, the premises are not currently licensed, they previously operated as a snooker hall.

·         Noise from the premises can be heard in the objector’s homes.

·         Baptist Court and Baptist Place and Chain Street are residential.  Some properties on Longlands Lane are residential and some commercial.

·         Residents of Roundhill Place had not contacted the Ward Councillor.

·         The police were not aware whether alcohol was being sold from the premises.

·         The West Yorkshire Police representative had been on the premises when it was a snooker hall and people brought their own alcohol.

In summing up the West Yorkshire Police representative noted that some form of trade was taking place on the premises and he was concerned that the applicant had not liaised with the neighbours and requested that the application be refused.  The Ward Councillor referred to the information provided by West Yorkshire Police and added that there had been no engagement with local residents and requested that the application be refused. 

Decision –

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 refuses the application, having heard evidence from West Yorkshire Police and the local Councillor speaking on behalf of the residents, that demonstrates that there has been and there is likely to be a failure to comply with the following licensing objectives:

·         Prevention of crime and disorder

·         Prevention of public nuisance

Reason -  Prevention of crime and disorder and Prevention of public nuisance

Action: Interim Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services