Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Elections and Regulatory) including an application to vary a premises licence, made by The Greek Community Leeds, for Greek Community Hall The Greek Orthodox Church, Harehills Avenue, Harehills, Leeds, LS8 4EU.

The Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory submitted a report that set out an application to vary the premises held by The Greek Community Leeds, for Greek Community Hall The Greek Orthodox Church, Harehills Avenue, Harehills, Leeds, LS8 4EU.

Prior to the meeting, some supplementary information was published and distributed to the Sub-Committee which included some additional details of events previously held at the premises and responses to complaints within the written objections.

In summary, the application sought to increase licensable activity timings for the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment, and to add late night refreshment to the licence.

Representations had been received from 7 members of the public, along with a petition containing 29 signatures, all of which were opposed to the application on the grounds of public nuisance and public safety.

The following were in attendance on behalf of the applicant:

-  Jasn Karaz, The Greek Community Leeds

-  Ironeos Livadiotes, The Greek Community Leeds

-  John Howe, Licence Holders Agent

Mr Howe addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant, providing Members with some of the historical and religious context to the premises. Mr Howe informed Members that the Greek Community Hall had been operating since around 1960 with a capacity of approximately 120 seated persons, and remained a hub for the Greek community in Leeds. Members heard that there had been no complaints to the Licence Holder or West Yorkshire Police since the grant of the first premises licence in 2015. Mr Howe referenced the car incident that occurred in February 2019, noting that contrary to the objections made, the perpetrator was not from the Greek community who use the facilities at the premises, and that members of the Greek community were the victims of the incident. Mr Howes was aware of the drug and alcohol issues within the local area, and particularly the prevalence of establishments who serve alcohol for consumption off-premises, but confirmed that it would not be the intention of the Licence Holder to operate in this way.

Mr Karaz also informed Members that he was a Member of the Executive Committee of the Greek Orthodox Church an experienced Licence Holder. Members heard that the main purpose of the application was to allow for approximately double the functions currently held, to support the local community and generate more income for the Church. Mr Karaz hoped to attract more weddings, in particular on Saturdays in the summer. The committee were informed the Executive Committee receive requests to use the hall for Christenings during the day and they would like to be able to sell alcohol at such events. The Hall also hosts other events such as charity events and birthday parties were alcohol is not required. If an event wishes to sell alcohol during the day, the Executive Committee must apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN); the purpose behind the application was to  apply for an extended licence so that they did not have to keep making applications for TENs. 

The committee were informed there was not a similar size hall in the local area and that this was an asset that could be well used by the wider community, not just the Greek community and if it were to have longer hours to provide licensable activities, it could provide a wide range of events to the public.

Members queried as to whether draught or bottled beer was available to visitors, and were informed that only 330ml bottles were sold with no intention to sell draught beer. Members also heard that there were 6/8 car parking spaces on the premises, and that beyond that, visitors were able to use the on-street parking available on the surrounding streets. It was also confirmed that there was a dance floor on the premises and that the venue does have live music usually limited to two people with dancing was hosted on occasionally.

The following members of the public were in attendance:

-  Zanib Arif

-  Mohammed Aziz

-  Anwar Aziz

-  Keith Withall

-  Adeel Ahmed

-  Tariq Hussain

-  Ishtiaq Ali

-  Lamfia Akim Kamara

-  Shahid Hussain

-  Adil Jeraal

Mr Kamara addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the objectors. Members heard how the local residents welcomed the Greek Community and their cultural events, however they simply objected to the hours of licensable activities applied for within the application. Members heard that this was due to the crowds of people leaving the premises who had been drinking alcohol, and the noise pollution this caused. This was said to have vast impact on residents with families in the local area, with reports of some children being unable to attend school because of the noise in the evenings. Mr Kamara informed Members that the local residents would be supportive of opening hours between 12noon and 11pm, rather than the applied for closing time of 1am. The local residents views were that a late licence after 23:00 would negatively impact on children in the area and people’s ability to enjoy a quiet family life.

Mr Withall addressed to Sub-Committee and reported that although some previous events finished at 11pm, congregations of people remained until around 1am and his main concern related to the dispersal of people after events had ended. Members were informed that noise pollution often includes sound from cars, and that there were issues with people adhering to the 20mph speed limit. Additionally, Members heard that the Greek Community appear to use the on-street parking on the residential streets as opposed to the on-street parking directly outside the Church. Mr Whitall also informed the Sub-Committee that he had complained to the Licence Holder on prior occasions. He felt that the Licence Holder did not take the views of the local community seriously, and that they had not been consulted with throughout the licence application process. Mr Withall made reference to the original licence application in 2015 when the The Greek Community Leeds had agreed to keep the local residents informed of late night events but had failed to do so.

In response, Mr Howe informed the Sub-Committee that the Executive Committee of the Greek Orthodox Church had only received complaints from Mr Whitall. Mr Howe also stated that difficulties for residents to use on-street parking, along with road users not adhering to speed limits, were not the responsibility of the Licence Holder. A member queried as to whether the windows on the premises were double glazed, and were informed that there were efforts in process, however some of the building was grade listed and included stained glass. Members were informed that regular checks are made to ensure that there was no noise to the outside of the property from the activities taking place inside. Mr Karaz also offered to install decibel equipment as a further measure. Members also heard that not all of the private functions intended to take place would involve the sale of alcohol, for example, christenings, charity fundraisers and children’s parties.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered the information submitted, both written and oral, and

RESOLVED –

a)  That the application be granted as applied for on Friday and Saturday evenings (12pm until 1am), along with New Years Eve, Bank Holiday Sundays and the annual Tsiknopempti 'Smokey Thursday'.

b)  That the licensable activities from Sunday to Thursday be limited to 12pm until 11pm.