The Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer confirmed that the Sub-Committee would comprise Councillors J Brown, Crout and Silver.

The Sub-Committee was asked to elect a Chair for the Hearing.

RESOLVED –

that Councillor J Brown be elected Chair for this Hearing.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Report of the Head of Community and Customer Services.

This report asks the Sub-Committee to consider an application for a new premises licence following the receipt of representations.

APPLICATION FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE: LUX, GADE HOUSE, 46 THE PARADE, HIGH STREET, WATFORD

The Chair asked whether there may be any preliminary matters to discuss.  The Licensing Manager explained that Mr Skeens may have a representation about the premises themselves.  Mr Skeens suggested that the Sub-Committee might want to visit the premises concerned as they spoke for themselves.

The Sub-Committee adjourned to consider the matter and reconvened shortly afterwards.  The Chair commented that there was a plan of the premises and that a visit would therefore not be necessary.  She asked if there was anything different in respect of the plan.  Mr Skeens explained that there was and that he had also brought photographs of the inside of the premises.  The chair asked whether the revised plan was accurate and Mr Skeens said that it was; but it was not in 3D.  The photographs were then distributed to the Members.  The Chair asked whether the Police had seen the photographs and Mr Skeens explained that he had spoken to them before the hearing.  The chair commented that the photographs would be examined in more detail later and asked if the Police were satisfied with the photographs.  Detective Sergeant Brown asked if she could have a look at the photographs and was provided with copies - after which she commented that they were fine.      

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services setting out details of an application for a new licence at the above premises. 

The Licensing Manager introduced the report.  The application was for a new Premises Licence from Hospitality Leisure Consultancy Limited.  The opening hours were as shown on page seven of the report, viz. 11:00 to 01:30 Sunday to Wednesday and 11:00 to 02:30 Thursday to Saturday and with alcohol and licensable activities until half an hour before closing.  The premises was not currently licensed; but had been previously which had lapsed in September 2014.  The Watford Town Centre Residents’ Association had submitted written representations although their representative was unable to attend due to illness.  It was a matter for the Sub-Committee how much weight they applied to that document.  The Licensing Manager explained that the applicant had accepted a representation from Environmental Health to install a sound limiting device (as discussed in paragraph 9.4 of the report).  There were issues of alcohol off-sales late at night and about the hours of operation.  There was a debate around the style of the operation and the Council policy.  He explained that the Licensing Policy set out the hours for the various types of premises.  If it was a restaurant it could be open until 02:00. However, if a bar with alcohol; closing would be required to be earlier. It was for the applicant to demonstrate why the premises would be an exception.  The operation of the premises appeared typical to a nightclub hence the confusion as to style.  He reiterated it was for the applicant to demonstrate why it was an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.