Agenda item

 To receive the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration on an application for the grant of a premises licence, made by Platnam Foods Ltd, for Chickanos 166 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS8 5PL.

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report for the application for the grant of a premises licence for Chickanos, 166 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS8 5PL.

The application was for a late night refreshment licence Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 23:00 – 02:00.

Representations had been received from Environmental Protection Team in their capacity as a responsible authority. A Copy of the representation was attached at Appendix C of the submitted report.

The licensing authority was also in receipt of one individual letter of objection, which was opposed to this application on the grounds of public nuisance.

In attendance at the hearing were Mr Sajad Hussain and Mr Mohammed L’Aker of Platnam Foods Ltd.

The applicant presented letters and emails from people supporting the application which were accepted by all parties at the hearing.

Mr Hussain informed the Members that he had a number of businesses around Yorkshire including Batley, Bradford and Dewsbury, however this was to be his first franchise in Leeds.

He went on to say that Adam Fast Food Supplies employed around 250 people with 12 members of staff employed at Chickanos on Roundhay Road. Where possible they employed people from the local area.

He said that Chickanos provided a range of foods including a range of healthy options for those who wanted the choice.

Mr Hussain informed the Members that many of the businesses around the area traded late including the business next door Shahjahan until 04:00am.

Mr Hussain went on to inform the Licensing Sub Committee that the pharmacy next door and the restaurant nearby were in support of Chickanos as since they had started trading the anti-social behaviour in the area had decreased and they had put investment into the area. He said that Chickanos were working with the local authority to keep the area clean by putting up signs and providing bins which had seen a reduction in the litter around the area. He also said that regular audits were conducted to ensure that both inside and outside of the premises were kept clean and tidy.

Mr Hussain said that he was hoping to become a national outlet. He explained that the outlet worked within the guidelines set out by the British Franchise Association (BFA). He said that a policy had been drawn up with BFA to check the area around the premises and that on the first visit they had received a 4 star rating.

He informed Members that the premises had been working till 02:00am on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday using the Temporary Event Notice (TEN’s).

Mr Hussain informed Members that the ventilation unit was of a high specification and that they had received no complaints about the noise of the ventilation unit.

In response to a question from Members on the premises opening beyond the time specified in the licence, Mr Hussain said that some managers had invested their own money in the franchise operation and wanted to make the business a success. However, he said that this issue had been addressed and lessons had been learnt and would not happen again.

An Officer from the Environmental Health Team was in attendance at the hearing and informed the Sub-Committee that on checking he had discovered that the flat above the takeaway was now empty but that there were still residential properties close by.

The Officer informed Members that the operation seemed like a friendly fast food restaurant with limited numbers for seating inside the premises. He explained that the main concerns were for the residents living nearby that could be disturbed due to cars and taxis parking up and noise from customers.

The officer said that he was unable to comment on the extraction fan as he had not seen it working.

The Officer from the Environmental Health Team was of the view that if this licence was permitted other premises within the area would also apply for later hours.

The management team of the Shahjahan, 164 Roundhay Road, Leeds, LS8 5PL and also a resident from the area were in attendance at the hearing. They informed the Sub-Committee of the follow concerns:

·  No parking spaces available for customers

·  Noise of car engines

·  Customers eating outside house

·  Rats on the street

·  Opened without a licence till 02:00am

Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee heard that Shahjahan had been operating on a late night refreshment licence but that they did not yet having planning permission.

Mr Hussain informed Members that Chickanos did not provide delivery service and he was of the view that 85% of people would walk to the premises to order and pick up food.

RESOLVED – That the Licensing Sub-Committee grant the premises licence as applied for.

Members reminded the applicant that this licence would also be subject to planning permission and that the premises should not open without obtaining all necessary planning permissions.