There were no apologies for absence.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

The sub-committee received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and the Environment) concerning an application by Mr. Sam Giles for the grant of a premises licence at Artisan Market, 198-200 Leigh Road Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1BS.

The application was presented by Mr P Richards (21^st Century Licensing), the applicants Licensing Consultant.  Mr Troy Giles and Mr Sam Giles (Owners and applicants) were also in attendance and gave evidence.

The sub-committee noted that no letters of objections to this application had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities, although conditions had been agreed with the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health, both acting as a Responsible Authority during the consultation period, should the application be granted.  These conditions were set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report of the Council’s Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment).

Three (3) representations had, however, been received from local residents and one (1) from a local Ward Councillor objecting to the application. One of the residents subsequently withdrew their objections following dialogue with the applicant’s agent. None of the objectors attended the meeting.  Copies of all the remaining valid representations were provided to the sub-committee.  The objections/representations essentially related to all four of the licensing objectives.

The sub-committee heard that premises was currently licensed for off sales only and that the purpose of the application was to become a restaurant/market/community event venue.  Drinks would be served by waiter/waitress service to guests seated at tables.

The sub-committee also heard that the restaurant had been operating under temporary event notices on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays over the past 12 weeks without any incident or complaint.  The issues raised by the objectors could not therefore be attributed to this premises.  The applicant was an experienced licence holder with other premises in the area.  Mr Giles explained that he wanted to work with the community and be a good neighbour.

The applicant confirmed that there would be no use of the outside area to the rear of the premises in relation to any licensable activities at this premises.  Smokers would be permitted to use the outside area to the front of the premises and, following negotiation with the Licensing Authority, the maximum number permitted to use this area would be 6 at any one time.  A risk assessment for public nuisance had been submitted with the application which included signage to be displayed at the premises.  The applicant explained he would operate a “one warning” scheme in respect of any nuisance that may be caused.  He also mentioned that a contact number could be provided to residents to call if they had any concerns or issues to report about the premises. 

It was acknowledged that an application had been made to the Highway Authority for a pavement licence for the use of the outside area on the footway which had been included in the licensed area.  The use of this area would therefore be dependent on the granting of that licence.

In determining the application, the sub-committee listened  ...  view the full minutes text for item 215.