Agenda and draft minutes

Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting

Contact: Ian Smith  Email: democraticservices@watford.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

24.

Committee membership/ election of a Chair

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that the sub-committee would comprise Councillors Saffery, Hofman and Mills.

 

            The sub-committee was asked to elect a Chair for the hearing.

 

            RESOLVED –

 

            that Councillor Saffery be elected Chair for this hearing.

 

            The Chair introduced all the parties.

 

25.

Disclosure of interests (if any)

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest.

26.

Application for a new premises licence: Oaklands Wines pdf icon PDF 582 KB

  • View the background to item 26.

The sub-committee is asked to review an application for a new premises licence following the receipt of representations.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed all parties and explained the procedure to be followed. 

 

 

 

            Introduction to the application

            The Licensing Officer presented her report to the Sub-Committee, outlining an application for a new premises licence for Oaklands Wines, 35 Market Street Watford WD18 0PN.

 

Address by the interested party

 

Ms Conlon explained that she was objecting to the opening hours of the premises being until 12 midnight, because she and her partner both had to get up early.  A shop such as this being open so late would attract late night visitors and would change the character of the area, making it seem more like a town centre or the West End. 

 

She had purchased her home when the premises was a printing shop that closed at 6pm. It seemed perfectly reasonable for this premises to close at 11 pm, to allow the area to quieten down.  She explained that the houses were not tall, so her bedroom window was relatively low to the ground, allowing her to hear everything outside.  Ms Conlon concluded by expressing her worry about this application and the adverse effect it would have on her life.  

 

The Chair invited questions for Ms Conlon and Councillor Hofman asked if she might be willing to accept any sort of compromise, for example 11.30pm closure. Ms Conlon replied that if that was the only choice, then she would.  She added that people hung around after such premises close. 

 

There followed a discussion around possible weekly hours that might be a suitable compromise for both parties.  This discussion included other similar premises nearby and the exact location of where Ms Conlon lived, in relation to Oaklands Wines which was not directly above, but a very short distance away. 

 

Ms Conlon pointed out that people were attracted to late night premises and similarly, this shop.  There seemed to be little balance, with a continual shift towards a late night economy. 

 

In response to a question from the Chair, the Licensing Officer stated that there had been a number of noise complaints to Environmental Health, regarding various premises along Market Street.  She pointed out that these complaints did not include Oaklands Wines as this was a new application.  In response to a question from the Senior Solicitor, she confirmed that the residents directly above Oaklands Wine had not made a complaint. 

 

Address by the applicant’s agent

 

There being no further questions, the Chair invited Mr Kanapathi, the applicant’s agent, to address the sub-committee. 

           

Mr Kanapathi stated that the applicant had done a great deal to promote the Licensing Act objectives by not selling strong alcohol that might attract street drinkers, neither would they sell single units.  Furthermore, the original application had been until 1.00am, but after consultation with the Police, this had been reduced to midnight.  He stressed that this was intended to be a wine shop which was mostly online, with only half the trade being from walk-ins.  The intention was to provide quality products that would not appeal to late night  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

 

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