Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application for the grant of a premise licence for Chao Phraya, Blayds Court, 20 Swinegate, Leeds, LS1

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 for the grant of premises licence for Chao Phraya, Blayds Court, 20 Swinegate, Leeds, LS1 4AG.

A representation had been received from West Yorkshire Police.

The following were present at the hearing:

Mr Ian Lee – the applicant

Mr James Staton – Solicitor for the applicant

Sergeant Fullilove – West Yorkshire Police (WYP)

Cath Sanderson – WYP - observer

The Sub Committee heard representations from Mr Staton. Who outlined the application including the number of covers on all floors of the premises and described the nature of the business and its background. Mr Staton stressed that the business is food led and not alcohol led and that the restaurant was a high quality establishment which will be further renovated.

Mr Staton addressed Police concerns with regards to the provision of CCTV and the prompt availability of recordings made, informing the Sub Committee that a new CCTV system is due to be installed as apart of the proposed renovations and that the applicant was happy to work with the Police.

Mr Staton also went on to highlight that although the premises fell within the Cumulative Impact area they would have a minimal impact upon it due to being located in a quieter part of the City Centre and the restaurant being a food led venue of high quality. It was also highlighted that there had been no incidents for several years.

Sergeant Fullilove then addressed the Sub Committee and outlined his concerns with regards to the application. He informed the Sub Committee that the premises were within the Cumulative Impact area but that there had been only one reported crime within the last three years . The restaurant borders an area patrolled by the British Transport Police and Seargent Fullilove did not have access to the British Transport Police records. However there had been no contact from the British Transport Police and it was suggested that they would have contacted Sergeant Fullilove if they had concerns about crime in the area.

Sergeant Fullilove went on to submit that although the premises were currently occupied by a ‘premium’ restaurant, that this might not always be the case and the restaurant could move on or be sold to a different company. Therefore any application needed to be carefully considered to guard against future crime and disorder.

Finally Sergeant Fulliove highlighted that the conditions relating to CCTV provision at the premises needed to be amended in order to help contribute to the need for speedy justice.

The applicant’s solicitor Mr Staton went on to sum up. He re-iterated that the CCTV system will be upgraded and that the applicant was willing to accept the suggestions made by the police in relation to the availability of CCTV footage. The Sub Committee were informed that there was no intention to change the style of the premises and the ethos of the business will remain the same. Mr Staton further expressed the willingness of the business to work with the Authorities.

At this point Members asked questions of the applicant in relation to the dining facilities of the restaurant both inside and out and the success of the business in its current location.

The Sub Committee then carefully considered all the written and verbal submissions and made the following decision:

RESOLVED – To grant the application as requested subject to the following conditions imposed by the Sub Committee:

1  To maintain 125 covers at all times on the first floor of the premises.

2  To maintain 130 covers at all times on the ground floor of the premises plus an additional 40 bar covers to be maintained at all times.

They also imposed the conditions as agreed between the parties in relation to CCTV as those suggested in the pro forma V6.