Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting of the Sub-Committee.

Nominations for a Chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee were sought and it was

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Bill Moss as Chairman for this meeting only.

The Chairman will explain the attached procedure for the members of the public present.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed at the hearing, as contained within the “Wiltshire Licensing Committee Procedural Rules for the Hearing of Licensing Act 2003 Applications” (Pages 1 – 8 of the Agenda refers).

The Chairman will give details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman gave details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

To receive any declarations of personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no interests declared.

To consider and determine an Application for a Premises Licence by Cotes Restaurant Limited in respect of Cotes Restaurant, St Thomas’ Square, Salisbury.

Application by Cote Restaurants Limited for a Premises Licence in respect of Cotes Restaurant, St Thomas’ Square, Salisbury

The Licensing Officer introduced the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.

In accordance with the procedure detailed in the agenda, the Applicant and the Interested Party were given the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee.

Key points raised by Roy Light, Counsel on behalf of the Applicant were:

·               That the premises for which the licence is sought will be a restaurant which people frequent in order to eat food, rather than drink alcohol.

·               The proposed restaurant is of a good design – it will have a clean and tidy ambience, that will encourage people to act in a responsible manner

·               The food and drink to be served is high-quality – the premises are not to be a public house.

·               A number of flats are nearby in the Maltings, from which two objectors have sent representations; these are possibly too far away to be directly affected

·               Steven Seagar, Director of Cotes Restaurants Limited, had met Mr Knipe, a resident who lived opposite the site, and his concerns had contributed to the conditions proposed by the applicant

·               The Church was supportive

·               A list of suggested conditions, included on page 32 of the agenda, and the following amended/additional conditions were suggested:

8) Challenge 25 years and a proof of age system to be adopted. Only ID to be passport, driving license or accredited proof of age card

9) All refuse, including bottles, to be stored inside the premises and not to be put outside before 7am and after 9pm.

10) All deliveries and collections including refuse to be made after 7am and before 9pm.

The application for the licence to include the playing of recorded music would be withdrawn. The only music that would be played at the premises would be background music, which is not a licensable activity

Councillors then asked questions of the applicant’s team and a number of points were explained:

·         A maximum of 24 people/7 tables would be outside

·         The company possessed a leasehold on the property

·         The company had experience of running further Cote restaurants and similar ventures in/near residential areas.

The applicants suggested a further condition:

11) Outside tables to be vacated by 10pm

The Chairman then invited Mr Knipe, (representing himself and also two other interested parties Mrs Coward and Mrs Hinkley) to speak. His concerns revolved around the change of use of the site from its existing function as Tea Rooms closing at 6pm to licensed premises ending at midnight.

·         Mr Knipe and his wife already were victims of noise and anti-social behaviour emanating from another nearby premise; they did not wish this situation to be repeated.

·         The close proximity to Mr Knipe’s house meant that no matter how well run the premises may be, those living there will suffer disrupted sleep, due to day-to-day operation of the business.

·         Concern that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.