Agenda item

An application has been made for a new to premises licence for Caffeine, 44 The Esplanade, 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 Licencing Officer introduced the application for a new premises licence for Caffeine, 44 The Esplanade, Weymouth. The premises was located within the Cumulative Impact Zone of Weymouth. The applicants had applied for the same licence, which was previously used at this premises, however the previous licence holder did not make full use of the licence and operated the premises as a tearoom. Since the application was made, further mediation had taken place between the applicant, the police, and Environmental Health. The police, Environmental Health and Weymouth Town Council withdrew their representations after the revised conditions and timings were agreed. No other representations had been withdrawn. The Licencing Officer outlined the revised timings for the licence.

The Sub-Committee and those making representations were invited to ask questions of the Licencing Officer.

The Solicitor for the Applicant was given the opportunity to put forward their case. He drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the Supplement in which he had compiled all the conditions which had been agreed and not agreed. He outlined and provided further information on some of the conditions. He explained that the premises would be upmarket, aimed at over 25-year-olds, and would not be very cheap. There would be a downstairs cocktail bar and the ground floor would be a café. He thought that the updated conditions and timings were more comprehensive and restricted, and therefore would not add to the Cumulative Impact Zone.

The Sub-Committee and representees were invited to ask questions of the applicants. Questions related to:

·         Admission or readmission after midnight

·         Smoking and its effects on residents

·         The backgrounds of the applicants

·         The applicants’ knowledge of the Cumulative Impact Zone

·         Consultation with residents and, if granted, listening to residents’ concerns in the future.

·         Door supervisors

·         Music and alcohol at the premises.

The Environmental Protection Team Leader was invited to put forward their case. She did not have anything further to add, however was happy to answer any questions. All parties were invited to ask questions and she responded to the questions, confirming that: she was happy with the conditions; secondary smoke would disperse in the outside area; and that there was a noise management plan condition.

Members of the public, who had made representations objecting to the application, each were given the opportunity to make their case. The objectors had concerns of loud music affecting their families’ sleep, noise late at night, and smoking. The Sub-Committee asked questions of the objectors. In response to the questions, it was confirmed that flats above the premises were occasionally used as holiday lets and that families were sometimes in these flats.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their case.

Dorset Council’s Senior Lawyer confirmed all relevant points had been addressed and that there was a right of appeal from all parties.