Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration.

The report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration presented an application for the grant of a Premises Licence at Northern Guitars/Guitar Café, 41 Call Lane, Leeds.

The application was for the Sale by Retail of Alcohol, Recorded and Live Music on Monday to Sunday from 1000 to 0000 hours and late night refreshment from 2300 until 0000 hours.  Non-standard timings to apply from the end of permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day. Following discussions with the Environmental Protection Team it had been agreed to reduce the time for Live Music with this to end at 2300 each day.

The application had received representations from West Yorkshire Police and the Licensing Authority due to the premises being located in the Red Zone of the Leeds City Cumulative Impact Area.  There had also been a number of representations in support of the application.

The applicant and his representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  Northern Guitars was now the only retail shop on Call Lane – it provided a renowned business and attracted musicians who were performing in Leeds in addition to local custom.

·  The proposals were to have a café bar on the ground floor of the premises with the guitar shop moving upstairs.  There would also be an outdoor seated area.

·  Customers would be seated in the café area and food and drink would be provided by waitress service.

·  The applicant now sought to reduce the hours of opening until 2300 hours with the sale of alcohol to cease at 2230 hours.  These hours would not impact on the peak times for crime as outlined by West Yorkshire Police.

A West Yorkshire Police Representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following issues were raised:

·  The representation had been made due to the premises being located in the red zone of the cumulative impact area.

·  The Sub-Committee was informed of the problems with crime and disorder in the cumulative impact area particularly after 2300 hours on a Friday and Saturday.

·  It was accepted that the reduced hours now sought by the applicant would not have an impact on the peak times for crime and disorder.

·  The decision of whether the proposals were exceptional enough for the licence to be granted was for the Licensing Sub-Committee to decide.

A Licensing Authority Representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following issues were raised:

·  The representation had been made due to the premises being located in the red zone of the cumulative impact area.

·  The proposed style of operation was similar to that of another premises in the red zone of the cumulative impact area which did not cause the Licensing Authority any concern.  The offer of revised hours which would see the premises close before the peak hours for crime and disorder was considered to be favourable.

In summary to the application, the applicant’s representative confirmed that the premises were not to be alcohol led, but guitar and music led with ancillary food and drink on offer.

The Licensing Sub-Committee carefully considered the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration, the Statement of Licensing Policy and the application itself.  It also considered the representations made by the responsible authorities, the applicant and others, both in writing and at the hearing of the application.  The Licensing Sub-Committee took into account the Cumulative Impact Policy and the fact that the premises were situated in the red zone.  It also noted the submissions regarding the particular nature of the premises and revisions to the proposed operating schedule.

RESOLVED – That the applicant did present exceptional circumstances, differing to other licensed premises in the area and that the license should be granted as per the revised hours of operation as detailed in the letter from the applicant’s solicitor dated 27 November 2015 and as heard at the meeting.