Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Items
No. Item

LS.1

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

None.

LS.2

To receive Declaration of Interests from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda.

The procedure the Licensing Panelwillfollowin considering the application is set outin the Licensing Act2003,its attendantRegulations and was agreed by the Licensing Committee on 2nd February2005.  The Licensing Panel,in accordance with rule 14 of the Licensing Act2003 (Hearings)Regulations 2005 decide to exclude the public fromallorpartof the hearing where the Licensing Panelconsiders thatitis in the public interestto do so.

 

Minutes:

None.

LS.3

Application to vary a Premises Licence - Licensing Act 2003. pdf icon PDF 10 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

HAY AND STRAW, 16 HIGH STREET, EAST GRINSTEAD, RH19 3AW

 

Introduction and outline of the report

Paul Thornton, Senior Licensing Officer introduced the application to vary the premises license of the Hay and Straw and advised that relevant representations have been made by Mid Sussex Environmental Health and members of the public.

 

The officer advised that the application seeks to extend the existing licensable area to enclose a small arear outside the front and increase the permitted hours on Friday and Saturday. The current licenced premises previously operated as a haberdashers shop. A licence was granted to Côte Restaurant but it was surrendered without opening. The Hay and Straw has been trading since February 2019 as a bar/restaurant and they are licensed for live and recorded music until 23:00 hours under the current licencing arrangement.  He noted that the report included the conditions for the existing premises licence, which include age verification with a minimum age of 25 years, staff training, the operation of a refusals and incidents log, after 9pm all children under 18 years must be accompanied and attending a meal or pre-booked event and digital CCTV and recording equipment.

 

The officer advised the Committee that the applicant has offered some conditions in the operating schedule and these should be added to the licence if it is granted.  It included no admittance of new patrons after 11pm Sunday to Thursday and after 11.30pm Friday and Saturday.  Re-admittance of existing patrons, who have gone outside to smoke, is permitted.  He highlighted that the current premises licence does not permit the consumption of alcohol bought at the Hay and Straw outside the premises and this application would include a small seated dining area on the pavement for approximately 12 seats.  The width of the shop front is 6.2 metres and the pavement is 2.96 metres wide and is part of the public highway.  There are steps directly opposite the entrance and a Grade II listed water fountain.

 

The officer confirmed that representations have been received from Sussex Police, Mid Sussex District Council Environmental Protection Team and three residents.  He noted that Sussex Police had agreed conditions with the applicant police and the licenced area would be delineated with a windbreak, all furniture, including the tables and chairs, must be removed or stacked and secured when not in use.

 

The Environmental Protection Team has objected to the use of an outside area after 21.00 hours and the extension of hours to supply alcohol as it is likely to create a public nuisance.  The Senior Licensing Officer advised the Committee that representations have been received from Mrs Cook, Mr Berry and Mr Beirne, all local residents.  A further representation from Mrs Cook in noted in the supplementary report, which has already been supplied to the Members.  He highlighted that the last paragraph in Mrs Cook’s representation should be ignored as it has not been proven that the alcohol came from the Hay & Straw. 

 

The Committee were informed that Mr Berry representation  ...  view the full minutes text for item LS.3