Agenda and minutes

That Councillor Bailey be appointed as Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations of interest.

To determine an application for a variation of an existing Premises Licence for the Rockhouse, London Street, Andover.

The Licensing Manager presented the application submitted by Mr Tony Noakes for the variation of the existing Premises Licence in respect of premises known as the Rockhouse, 41 London Street, Andover SP10 2NU.

The applicant had applied to amend the last time for entry to the premises to 0230 hours (currently 0100 hours); amend the start time for SIA security staff to 2200 hours (currently 2000 hours); and increase from 12 to 24 times a year the number of occasions upon which recorded music, supply of alcohol and late night refreshment can be provided until 0400 hours rather than the usual 0300 hours. The application had attracted two representations objecting to the application which necessitated it being determined at a hearing.

The Applicant was invited to address the Licensing Sub-Committee.  He explained to Members the measures he had put in place to mitigate some of the concerns raised by the Police and Principal Environmental Officer.

The Sub-Committee was given the opportunity to raise questions of the Applicant.

The Police Licensing Officers were invited to address the committee.  A DVD was shown of an incident outside the Rockhouse, which provided evidence that the 2 members of the public who had been involved in the disturbance had come directly from the Applicant’s premises.

The Sub-Committee was given the opportunity to raise questions of the Police Licensing Officers.

The Principal Environmental Health Officer was invited to address the Sub-

Committee. She advised members that her main concern regarding the variation of

the Premises Licence was the potential public nuisance caused by members of the public when outside the premises.

The Sub-Committee was given the opportunity to raise questions of the Principal

Environmental Health Officer.

Resolved:

That the Sub-Committee recognised the steps which the applicant had taken in terms of making his premises as Covid secure as reasonably practicable.

However, the sub-committee was concerned about the evidence put forward by the police in relation to incidents of public disorder and violence which were clearly associated with the premises.  The Committee was also concerned for the potential for further incidents of disorder, and nuisance to local residents, if the extended hours requested were to be granted.  To that extent, therefore, the extension for first admittance until 2:30 am, and the number of occasions for licensable activities to be extended to 4:00 am, was refused.

The sub-committee was sympathetic to some relaxation of the SIA staff hours application and therefore agreed that the hour for commencement of employment of such staff should be 9:00 pm.  The sub-committee expect that the applicant will use the scanning equipment and give appropriate access to the police of any images produced.