Agenda item

An application has been made to review the premises licence for the Sunset Bar (formerly Cool Runnings) in Weymouth. The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted relevant representations. A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report and informed the sub-committee that an application had been made to review Sunset Bar’s premises licence.

 

All parties were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Licensing Team Leader

 

The applicants were given the opportunity to state their case for the revision of the licence.  The applicants informed the sub-committee that they lived in flats above the premises and outlined the issues relating to noise being unbearable, which made it difficult to have conversations in their homes, watch the tv and go to bed at a reasonable time.  The vibrations form the bass in the Sunset Bar was so bad it shook their windows.

 

The applicants highlighted the many activities and issues that had occurred on the terrace outside the premises, such as, shouting, singing, and fighting.

 

Being a grade 2 listed (built in 1816) it was very hard to soundproof.  The relationship between the bar owner and residents had become strained due to the bar staff’s refusal to turn the music down and the profound impact of noise was affecting the mental and physical health of residents. Other issues highlighted were the unsafe nature of the area due to alcohol consumption and drug use which fuelled fights close to a popular bus stop which young children used and the general impact on holiday makers and locals. The applicants urged the committee to revoke the license and suggested that opening and closing hours were adjusted to 9am -8pm

 

The committee was made aware that Environmental Protection Officers had visited the premises and agreed a suitable noise level, however the situation had not improved. 

 

Those present were given the opportunity to put questions to the applicants.

 

The Environmental Protection Team Leader was given the opportunity to present their case.

 

The Environmental Protection Team Leader elaborated on their visits to the premises, where patrons had been outside at 10 at night.  High noise levels had made it impossible to have conversation with members of staff. The officers had taken basic noise readings, which were at 98 decibels on the dance floor. The sub- committee was informed that at these levels induced hearing loss could occur, 86 decibels were considered a normal level for a dance floor and would reduce disturbance and encourage patrons to move inside A tamper proof noise limiter could be considered and put together by an Environmental Protection officer.

 

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Environmental Protection Team Leader.

 

 

Dorset Police were given the opportunity to present their case.

 

It was suggested that it was very unusual that residents submit their own review. The importance of this issue was addressed, and the police enforced that they supported the applicant’s case.

 

The sub-committee was informed that Environmental Protection Officers had brought this matter to the attention of the police and had provided the information and incidents linked to Sunset Bar, Weymouth, and their concerns with drug activity.

 

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions of Dorset Police.

 

 

There was a short adjournment of approx. 20 minutes due to an evacuation of the building following a fire alarm.

 

The Solicitor representing the Licence Holder was invited to present their case. The Solicitor advised that he was looking for a solution that would stop the revocation of licence. He identified that the focus of the problem was noise nuisance and a breakdown in communication. The Solicitor recognised that steps taken must be proportionate and necessary.

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Licence Holder’s Solicitor.

 

Dorset Police, prior to summing up, requested an adjournment to meet with the Environmental Health Team Leader and the applicants to discuss their thoughts on the new proposals and suggested conditions that had been put forward by the Licence Holder’s Solicitor

 

Meeting adjourned 11:40-12:05

 

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their cases prior to the sub-committee adjourning to make their decision.