Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory on an application for the grant of a premises licence for The Mardini Café, Bistro, 29 - 31 Kirkgate, Otley, LS21 3HN

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory presented an application for the grant of a premises licence at The Mardini Café Bistro, 29-31 Kirkgate, Otley LS21 3HN. In summary the application sought:

Sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption on the premises) and Recorded Music: Monday to Sunday 10:00 until 22:00.

Mr A Arik, the applicant attended the hearing. 

The application had attracted representations from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) and the LCC Environmental Protection Team (LCC EPT) and one member of the public. Prior to the hearing, the applicant had agreed measures to address issues of crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance and the measures would be included within the operating schedule for the premises, should the application be granted. Members noted the member of the public who had submitted a representation was not in attendance and agreed to consider their written submission in their absence.

The Legal Officer set out the procedure for the hearing and the Licensing Officer presented the application.

The Sub Committee heard from Mr Arik the applicant and proposed Designated Premises Supervisor for The Mardini Café Bistro. Mr Arik explained the reason for the application and provided the following information:

·  The premises had been open approximately one month from 10:00 until 22:00 hours and served Mediterranean cuisine.

·  90% of customers when booking a table or attending asked whether the bistro served alcohol and he had found that when he explained that no alcohol was served, some customers chose not to book a table.

·  Additionally although customers could bring their own alcohol to consume with a meal, he was aware that the shops nearby closed early so there was nowhere for customers to buy alcohol from later in the evening. He also felt that bringing bottles of alcohol to the restaurant could be a safety issue.

·  He added that explaining there was no bar took his time away from preparing food for customers.

·  Mr Arik reasoned that consuming alcohol with a meal was part of life now, part of the evening meal.

·  He felt he was losing trade because he didn’t have a licence to sell alcohol and may have to reduce the number of staff he employed as customers were eating elsewhere.

·  He found this very stressful, the area of Kirkgate was dead after 18:00 hours and he had wanted to bring some life to the area. Local people travelled to Harrogate to dine out and he wanted his bistro to encourage people to stay local.

·  There was nothing in the vicinity like his bistro, the three local bars did not serve food. He felt that patrons of the bars drank more and were noisy, noisier than his patrons. His patrons would attend his bistro primarily for the meal, listen to dinner music and meet with family and friends.

In response to a query, Mr Arik confirmed that he had agreed to the measures proposed by WYP and LCC EPT to address the licensing objectives.

The Sub Committee deliberated in private and carefully considered the report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory, the Statement of Licensing Policy and the representations submitted prior to the hearing. The Sub Committee noted the agreements reached with WYP and LCC EPT.

RESOLVED – To grant the application as applied for.