The Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services will present a report, Document “N” which outlines an application for a new premises licence for the supply of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment.

Members are invited to consider the information and documents referred to in Document “N” and, after hearing individuals, bodies or businesses, determine the related application. 

(Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)

RECORD OF A HEARING FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE  FOR THE SUPPLY OF ALCOHOL, PROVISION OF REGULATED ENTERTAINMENT AND PROVISION OF LATE NIGHT REFRESHMENT  FOR THE FLEECE, 152-154 MAIN STREET, ADDINGHAM.

Commenced: 1350

Adjourned: 1420

Reconvened: 1435

Concluded: 1440

Present

Members of the Panel

Bradford District Licensing Panel: Councillor M Slater (Ch), Councillor Ellis and Councillor Jamil

Parties to the Hearing

Representing the Applicant:

Mr A Brady – Punch Taverns

Mr P Warne   - Legal Representative, TLT Solicitors

Representations

The Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services presented a report, Document “N” which outlined an application for a new premises licence for the supply of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment.

Document “N” revealed that the there had been 26 letters of representation received from local residents which raised concerns of anticipated noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour.  The applicant’s representative had, since those representations had been received, confirmed that the applicant was willing to reduce the hours applied for  in line with the current premises licence for the premises.

The applicant’s legal representative addressed the meeting and confirmed that the hours applied for had been amended since the receipt of representations and, with slight amendments to update conditions, were in line with the existing premises licence. The extension of the hours initially requested was to allow late diners to consume alcohol and it had never been intended to operate as a ‘late night’ venue.  Contact had been made with those submitting representations to explain that the hours had been amended and a number had subsequently withdrawn their objections.  It was suggested that the absence of any members of the local community demonstrated that they were now happy with the new premises licence sought.

It was explained that the premises had been the subject of an arson attack in October 2015.  A new publican had now been appointed to operate the premises and had invested significantly in the premises.  The new operator was an award winning company which operated a number of premises in the Lancashire area.  The Fleece at Addingham would be their first operation in the Yorkshire area.  The company specialised in food with the provision of classic and world foods.  It was anticipated that the business would operate with a 65% / 35% split between sales of food and drinks.  The provision of entertainment would be determined by local demand and in keeping with the food ethos of the premises. 

The interior design of the building was described and it was explained that the internal layout proposed would allow for a bar serving drinks and specialised dining areas. It was explained that the building was Grade II listed and the adjacent tea rooms and delicatessen would remain. 

Following a detailed presentation by the applicant’s representative a number of questions and issues were raised to which the following response were provided:-

·         There were approximately 25 to 30 car parking spaces at the premises and there were no plans to reduce that provision.

·         A local pub watch scheme was in operation in the Ilkley area and the applicant was willing to cooperate in that scheme.

·         The applicant wished to work in harmony with the local residents; proactive management and operations would ensure that engagement was conducted with local residents; they would be notified of any events taking place and discussions about any concerns would be held.

·         There was no wish to upset local residents and that was the rationale for reducing the original hours applied for. 

·         Residents had been contacted and assured that the operators were willing to discuss any issues or concerns they wished to raise. 

·         It had been hoped that the additional hours applied for would allow for customers to disperse slowly, however, there was no evidence of any public nuisance.

·         It was expected that customers would visit the premises for a meal and leaving when their meal was finished.  Not all customers would leave the premises at the same time.

·         The hours requested were the same as those on the current application with an amendment to include the first floor of the premises.

A Member referred to the hours of operation granted for other premises in the locality and questioned if the reduction in the hours of operation were unfair.  The applicant’s representative confirmed that the applicant did not wish to rescind the offer to reduce the hours requested.

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, in part, subject to the following hours of licensable activity:

Monday to Wednesday                             1100 to 2300

Thursday to Saturday                               1100 to midnight

Sunday                                                         1200 to 2230

Reason – To prevent noise disturbance and nuisance to residents in the vicinity of the premises – Prevention of Public Nuisance Objective.

 (Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)