Agenda item

An application has been made for a new premises licence for 8 East Street, Blandford, for the sale of alcohol, on and off the premises.  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 Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report. There were no representations received from any of the responsible authorities. There was one representation received from the member of the public. There had been no issues with the TENs events and no reports of noise or antisocial behaviour, and the police had not been called.

 

The applicant, Mr Hopton informed the Sub-Committee that the premises opened on the 23^{rd of} October 2023 under the Temporary Event Notice procedure for 26 days to see how it might operate. The business was a small, specialised alehouse which sells no other alcohol except for mead. Food would not be served at the premises and no music would be played. Mr Hopton had spoken to the lady living above the premises and she could not hear any noise from the premises. He made the Sub-Committee aware that he was a very experienced licensee and had held two licences under the previous legislation. Mr Hopton stated that he had not been trading during the period that the TENs were not in place. Police had not been called to the premises, but two community police officers had visited when passing by. He informed that he did not want people smoking outside the premises and encouraged patrons to smoke by the bench across the road. He explained that the venue appealed to a specific clientele as it served only specialised heritage beers and therefore, would not have the same problems associated with larger pubs.

 

Mr Parker who had submitted a representation in support of the application highlighted that he was not a typical pub goer.  He was interested in specialist beer and the patrons that visited the premises were mainly middle-aged discerning people. He supported what Mr Hopton had said and highlighted that there were not many micropubs in Dorset and these types of premises had grown in the last 20 years and breathed life back into the streets. He felt that more noise came from nearby shops than Mr Hopton’s premises.

 

Mr Brace who made a representation informed that he had nothing against the premises in many ways but requested the condition that the rear window be kept shut to reduce noise. As he felt that the noise from the premises was intrusive and could be heard from his private outdoor space as he liked to sit outside. He expressed concern that the premises had been open on days that were not covered by the TENs and was worried that the premises had not been operated properly. He referred to comments on social media that the Police had attended the premises and that food had been on offer. Mr Brace concluded by noting that the window which looked out onto the steps to his property had been dressed in an opaque covering to increase privacy which he welcomed.

 

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:

 

Supply of alcohol (on and off the premises)

Monday to Thursday 11:30-21:30 hours

Friday and Saturday 11:00-21:30 hours

Sunday 12:00-21:30 hours

 

Premises opening times

Monday to Thursday 11:30 – 21:30 hours

Friday and Saturday 11:00 – 21:30 hours

Sunday 12:00 – 21:30 hours

 

Conditions Consistent with the Operating Schedule

 

A CCTV system shall be installed at the premises. The CCTV system shall be maintained in working condition.

 

Patrons will be discouraged from smoking out the front of the premises, notices will be displayed to remind them of this.

 

A clear notice shall be displayed at every exit from the premises to instruct customers to respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and the area quietly.

 

The Licensee will adopt a "Challenge 25" policy where all customers who appear to be under the age of 25 and attempt to purchase alcohol or other age-restricted products are asked for proof of their age.

 

The Licensee to prominently display notices advising customers of the "Challenge 25" policy. The following proofs of age are the only ones to be accepted:

• Proof of age cards bearing the "Pass" hologram symbol

• UK Photo Driving licence

• Passport

 

The Licensee will ensure that each member of staff authorised to sell alcohol has received adequate training on the law with regard to age restricted products and that this has been properly documented and training records kept. The training record to be kept on the licensed premises and made available for inspection by the Licensing Officer, Trading Standards or the Police.

 

Condition added by the Sub-Committee

 

The rear window of the Premises shall be kept shut at all times that the Premises are open.