Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application for the grant of a premises licence for Chiquitos Restaurant and Bar, Unit A20, The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL.

(Report attached)

  The Sub-Committee, having regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the Section 182 Guidance and the Authority’s own Statement of Licensing Policy considered an application made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 for a premises licence for Chiquitos Restaurant and Bar Unit A20 The Light, The Headrow LS1, which was located within the Cumulative Impact Area 1

  Representations had been received from West Yorkshire Police and from LCC Environmental Protection Team

  Present at the hearing were:

  Mr Heath Thomas – solicitor for the applicant

  Ms Stephenson – Area Manager – Chiquitos

  Ms Letty – Area Support Manager

  Mr Oakley – General Manager of The Light

  PC Arkle – West Yorkshire Police

  Mr Kenny – LCC Environmental Protection Team

  The Sub-Committee heard from Mr Thomas on behalf of the applicant who stated that the proposals would not add to the Cumulative Impact experienced in the City Centre.  The proposals were for a food-led restaurant with approximately 116 covers located within and accessed from The Light centre.  There would be a meet and greet point close to the entrance which would be supervised and the well-staffed restaurant would operate on waiter/waitress service, with all staff being appropriately trained

  The use of a pager system to alert customers when their tables were ready would avoid queues building up at busy times

  In terms of security, as well as in-house CCTV, each unit in The Light contained a panic alarm system; the whole centre was covered by CCTV and was regularly patrolled by a team of security staff.  These arrangements therefore provided two levels of filter, i.e. security into the centre itself and the meet and greet close to the restaurant entrance.  There would not be any outside element to the restaurant and a smoking area would not be provided; these areas sometimes being a cause of problems.  The Sub-Committee was informed that through the pricing structure of the restaurant, this would also filter out troublesome elements.  Mr Thomas also referred to the car park at The Light which was considered to be a well operated and safe car park and would help with dispersal.  In terms of the representations made by the Environmental Protection Team, Mr Thomas indicated the applicant would be willing to accept the proposed conditions as set out in the papers appended to the submitted report.  Mr Thomas also outlined the risk assessment process and the written health and safety policy in place

  The Sub-Committee then heard from PC Arkle of West Yorkshire Police.

  PC Arkle stated she had no concerns with this particular operator but the premises were in a Cumulative Impact area.  PC Arkle welcomed the waiter/waitress service but raised the possibility of setting a minimum number of covers.   She confirmed that West Yorkshire Police would not request sales of alcohol ancillary to food as they accepted the operation but in requesting a minimum number of covers, sought to have an element of future proofing in the event the licence was transferred to a more alcohol-led outlet

  The Sub-Committee then heard from Mr Kenny of the Environmental Protection Team who also stated that there were no problems with this operator but that the unit was sited in the Cumulative Impact Area.  Mr Kenny noted that the proposed conditions would be accepted by the applicant if Members were minded to grant the application

  A discussion took place in relation to the possibility of a minimum number of covers, with Mr Thomas suggesting a minimum number of 75, if such a condition was imposed

  The Sub-Committee carefully considered both the written and verbal representations from the applicant, West Yorkshire Police and LCC Environmental Protection Team

  Whilst accepting the premises were located in a Cumulative Impact Area, Members granted the application as they were satisfied that the nature of this operation and its location – being accessed via The Light centre – would not add to the Cumulative Impact experienced in this area.  The proposals were for a food-led restaurant and not an alcohol-led use; there would be waiter/waitress service in the premises; there would be adequate security in the premises and the wider area; dispersal of patrons would be managed appropriately, particularly through the use of the car park within The Light and that queues would be avoided through the use of a pager system

  RESOLVED -  That the application be granted subject to the conditions set out in the operating schedule, the following conditions proposed by the Environmental Protection Team:

·  Noise from a licensable activity at the premises will not be audible at the nearest noise sensitive premises which are the Radission Hotel, Cookridge Street to the West and flats at the K2 bulding, Albion Street to the North

·  The Licence Holder and their designated premises supervisor will ensure that patrons do not cause public nuisance to nearby residents and businesses in the vicinity when smoking outside the front of the premises or when leaving

and an additional condition, agreed at the hearing requiring a minimum of 75 covers