Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To consider and determine an Application for a Premises Licence by Mrs Yuk Ling Lee in respect of 9 The Bridge, Chippenham.

Application by Mrs Yuk Ling Lee for a Premises Licence at 9 The Bridge, Chippenham (Fortune Fish and Chips).

The Chairman asked the Licensing Officer to deliver her report to the Committee. She detailed following points for consideration:

·       The application was for a premises licence for the provision of late night refreshment on Sunday – Thursday from 11pm – 2am and Friday and Saturday 11pm - 4am.

·       The premises had been previously licensed for late night refreshment as a fish and chip venue for Sunday - Thursday 11pm – 1am and Friday and Saturday 11pm – 1.30am.  The licence was not transferred and no interim authority notice was served.

·       Representations have been received from the Police (Relevant Authority), a local businessman (Mr Crook) and the Ward Member (Cllr Caswill), (Interested Parties).

There were no questions for the Licensing Officer.

Mr Patterson, spoke of behalf of Mrs Lee (Applicant). The key points made were;

·       The Applicant has an extensive background spanning 25 years with various premises in Melksham, Chippenham including the Fortune Inn, situated on the outskirts of the Town and in Sussex.

·       The Applicant is a current and active member of Pub Watch.

·       The Applicant has agreed, in conjunction with the Police, not to utilise ‘the hatch’ to serve take away food within the licensable hours and to install CCTV to the standard required.

·       The Applicant would not be prepared to employ door staff at present as she has not experienced problems with crime and disorder and it would not prove to be financially viable.

·       It was explained that although an application until 4am was being applied for, it was not the intention to use this all the time, as it may not be financially viable, but it was felt that the Applicant should be able to compete with other late night establishments who were able to sell take away food until 4am.

The Chairman invited questions to the Applicant.  The Licensing Officer on behalf of the Police (Jacqui Gallimore) asked whether the Applicant had a late night licence on any of her other premises.  She replied that she did not.  Members of the Sub Committee sought clarification on a number of points including:

·       Had a risk assessment been carried out in relation to 9 The Bridge?  The Applicant replied that she had not done so.

·       Did the Applicant have experience of working in the late night economy?  The Applicant explained that she did not have experience of working at the prescribed hours of the licence, however she was member of Pub Watch and ran a licensed premises in the town and had many years experience as proprietor of take-away food establishment within the County.

·       Would the Applicant use an operating policy?  She would rely on common sense and her extensive background in take-away food retail.

The Chairman invited the Responsible Authority, the Police, to present their case.  The Police Licensing Officer explained that this was not a heavily contested Licence, and that there had been a very successful  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.