Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration which sets out detail of an application to vary a premises licence, made by Westgate Leisure Services Limited, for The Angel High Street, Wetherby, LS22 6LT

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Licensing and Registration presented an application to vary a premises licence held at The Angel, High Street, Wetherby.

It was reported that the application had initially attracted representations from Environmental Health and from West Yorkshire Police and these had been withdrawn following agreement to meeting conditions set out in the licence.  There had also been representations made by local residents.

The applicant was unable to attend the meeting.  His representative addressed the sub-committee.  The following issues were highlighted:

·  The police had requested a review of the license when the upstairs of the premises were used by the general public.

·  The ground floor of the premises was in use as an Italian restaurant.

·  As a result of the review additional conditions to the licence had been agreed with the Police.  These conditions would tighten up the operation of the outside area.

·  The use of the first floor and balcony of the premises would be restricted to private functions.  West Yorkshire Police would be notified of any planned functions beforehand.

·  Both West Yorkshire Police and Environmental Health were comfortable with the style of operation and measures offered by the applicant.

·  With regards to some of the objections from local residents, it was felt that there was some confusion as to how the premises would operate.  Information had been circulated to local residents.

·  The licence applied for would be stronger and more enforceable.

Local residents addressed the sub-committee.  The following issues were highlighted:

·  No information from the applicant had been received.

·  Concern regarding disturbance from the premises – particularly people leaving the premises late at night.

·  Concern that noise from the balcony of the premises was a particular problem.

·  Disposal of glass bottles late at night.

In summary, the applicant’s representative re-iterated that the upstairs of the premises would only be used occasionally for privately held events and under conditions previously agreed with West Yorkshire Police and Environmental Health.  There would be full assessments undertaken prior to any events and Door Supervisors employed where necessary.  There would also be a noise limiter on the music system. 

RESOLVED – That the application to vary the premises licence be granted as requested.

The Licensing Sub Committee carefully considered the application.  Bearing in mind all the evidence heard and taking into account the representations received, including the written representations from those who did not attend the hearing, the Licensing Sub-Committee decided to grant the application to vary a premises licence, made by Westgate Leisure Services Limited for the Angel High Street, Wetherby, in the terms agreed between the Applicant, West Yorkshire Police and Environmental Health.  The Licensing Sub Committee had noted that the Applicant offered for there to be future dialogue with the local residents and the Committee hoped that similar dialogue would continue in the future.

The licensing Sub Committee noted the concerns of the residents relating to the disposal of glass and that condition 60 of the licence states “No bottles shall be placed in the external receptacle after 23:00- hours to minimise noise disturbance to adjoining premises” and it would trust that this would be adhered to by the Applicant as it is a mandatory condition.