Agenda item

An application has been made for a new premises licence for The Hillbrook, 1 Canon Woods Close, Sherborne, live music, recorded music (indoors and outdoors), late night refreshment (indoors) and for the sale of alcohol, on and off the premises.  The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted a relevant representation.  A Licensing Sub Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the report. For the sale of alcohol (on and off the premises) Monday to Sunday from 00:00 to 23:59 hours; live music (indoors and outdoors) Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00 hours and Friday and Saturday 11:00 to 01:00 hours; recorded music (indoors and outdoors) Sunday to Thursday 08:00 to 23:00 hours and Friday and Saturday 08:00 to 01:00 hours and late-night refreshment (indoors) Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 05:00 hours. The applicant had confirmed that they did not intend to have live or recorded music inside or outside after 23:00 hours. As a result, Environmental Health had withdrawn their representation. Dorset Police proposed two conditions on the licence if it was to be granted. The sale of alcohol for 24 hours a day would be restricted to residents of the hotel and their guests. Except for booked functions, the sale of alcohol to the public would be restricted to 11 am to 23:00 hours. The Senior Licensing Officer stated that 4 representations had been received from members of the public.

 

The Sub-Committee heard from Mr Sturman on behalf of the applicant. He informed that the premises would be a fine dining restaurant and a luxury boutique hotel and fits well within the local area. Following questions from the Sub-Committee, he added that Ms Sturman and himself both manage a number of properties for different operators around the country and have been in the industry for all of their working careers. There had been no issues with licensing or the police.

 

The members of the public who had submitted representations but did not respond to the Applicant’s revised application, did not attend the hearing. Their written representations referred to noise from music played outside and from customers generally.

 

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up and have their say.

 

Decision

 

To GRANT a Premises Licence with the usual mandatory conditions, the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule, and the condition added by the Sub-Committee as set out below, to permit the following:

 

Live music (indoors)

Monday to Sunday 1100-2300 hours

 

Recorded music (indoors)

Monday to Sunday 0800-2300 hours

 

Late night refreshment (indoors)

Monday to Sunday 2300-0500 hours

 

Supply of alcohol (on and off the premises)

Restricted to residents of the hotel and their guests and for booked functions.

Monday to Sunday 0000-2359 hours

 

Supply of alcohol (on and off the premises)

For the general public (excluding booked functions)

Monday to Sunday 1100-2300 hours

 

Hours Premises open to the public

Monday to Sunday 00:00 to 23:59

 

Conditions Consistent with the Operating Schedule

 

General

The Licensee will ensure that all times when the Premises are open for any licensable activity, there are sufficient competent staff on duty at the Premises for the purpose of fulfilling the terms and conditions of the licence and for preventing crime and disorder. The Licensee shall ensure that all staff will undertake training in their responsibilities in relation to the sale of alcohol, particularly with regard to drunkenness and underage persons. Records will be kept of training and refresher training.

 

Prevention of Crime and Disorder

Access to and around the building is restricted using access control. Any incidents of a criminal nature that may occur on the Premises will be reported to the Police.

 

The Licensee will install comprehensive CCTV coverage at the Premises, which will be operated and maintained at the premises. The CCTV system shall conform to the following points:

1. Cameras must be sited to observe the entrance and exit doors both inside and outside.

2. Cameras on the entrances must capture full frame shots of the heads and shoulders of all people entering the premises i.e. capable of identification.

3. Cameras viewing till areas must capture frames not less than 50% of screen.

4. Cameras overlooking floor areas should be wide angled to give an overview of the premises.

5. Be capable of visually confirming the nature of the crime committed.

6. Provide a linked record of the date, time and place of any image.

7. Provide good quality colour images during opening times.

8. Operate under existing light levels within and outside the premises.

9. Have the recording device located in a secure area or locked cabinet.

10. Have a monitor to review images and recorded picture quality.

11. Be regularly maintained to ensure continuous quality of image capture retention.

12. Have signage displayed in the customer area to advise that CCTV is in operation.

13. Digital images must be kept for 31 days.

14. Police and Dorset Council Licensing Officers will have access to images at any reasonable time.

15. The equipment must have a suitable export method, e.g. USB/DVD writer so that the Police or Dorset Council Licensing Officers can make an evidential copy of the data they require. This data should be in the native file format, to ensure that no image quality is lost when making the copy, if this format is non-standard (i.e. manufacturer proprietary) then the manufacturer should supply the replay software to ensure that the video on the CD can be replayed by the Police or Dorset Council Licensing Officers on a standard computer. Copies must be made available to Police or Dorset Council Licensing Officers on request.

 

Public Safety

Appropriate fire safety procedures are in place including fire extinguishers (foam, H20, wet chemical and CO2), fire blanket, internally illuminated fire exit signs, a comprehensive fire detection system and emergency lighting (see enclosed plan for details of locations). All appliances are inspected annually.

 

All emergency exits shall be kept free from obstruction at all times.

 

Regular certificated staff training will take place to ensure all fire and general safety procedures are in force and well briefed to staff. Personal Evacuation plans will be produced and in use for all persons requiring additional support in the event of an emergency. Disabled refuges on bedroom floors, with direct link to reception for use inf an evacuation emergency.

 

Prevention of Public Nuisance

All customers will be asked to leave quietly. Clear and legible notices will be prominently displayed to remind customers to leave quietly and have regard to our neighbours.

 

At times where larger numbers of guests are leaving the Premises members of staff will be deployed to ensure dispersal of guests is done sympathetically to our neighbours.

 

Staff will regularly patrol the exterior of the Premises to ensure it remains litter free.

 

We will engage with local pub watch and similar schemes.

 

Protection of Children from Harm

The Licensee and staff will ask persons who appear to be under the age of 25 for photographic ID such as proof of age cards, the Connexions Card and Citizen Card, photographic driving licence or passport, an official identity card issued by HM Forces or by an EU country, bearing the photograph and date of birth of bearer. All staff will be trained for underage sales prevention regularly.

 

A register of refused sales shall be kept and maintained on the premises.

 

Staff will receive human trafficking, exploitation and child grooming awareness training

 

Condition Added by the Sub-Committee

A direct telephone number for the manager at the premises shall be publicly available at all times that the Premises is open.