The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Hearing gave consideration to the report by the Senior Licensing Officer giving details of the application which had been submitted by Miss Amy Foster for a Premises Licence for The Suave, 14 South Park, Sevenoaks, TN13 1AN.  Her business partner, Mr Jonathan Searle, also attended the hearing.

The Sub-Committee heard from the Applicant who updated the Committee with her reasons for applying for the licence, explaining that she wanted to provide new job opportunities for the local area while showcasing a selection of wines and ales for her customers.

The Hearing then listened to the Respondent who explained his concerns regarding the size, the unusual lay out of the premises and the locality of the business premises, stating that the premises were very small and situated on a main route to a primary school.  He also had concerns regarding the very narrow pavement which was not adequate for tables and chairs.

The Sub-Committee then proceeded to ask questions to the Applicant in relation to the day to day running of the business and asked what procedures were in place for smoking clientele and refuse storage and collection.  The Applicant’s business partner advised that the refuse would be stored and collected from the side street and smokers would only be allowed to smoke in the court yard at the rear of the premises.  He confirmed that customers would not be permitted to smoke at the front of the property and a sign would be displayed to say this. No application had been made for a pavement licence.

The applicant gave the Chairman a letter of support which had been received on her behalf from another business nearby which the Chairman read out to the meeting.  The respondent asked the applicant what security measures they had installed and the applicant advised that CCTV cameras would be remotely operational internally and externally, a fire alarm system would be installed and the business would become a member of the local pubwatch scheme.

In response to a question, the respondent explained his concern at the layout of the premises as the property was split with an upper and lower level, that it may not provide sufficient space for customers to move around and access certain facilities.

At 10:57 the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the issues raised and were accompanied by the Council’s Legal Advisor, the Licensing Officer and Clerk to the Hearing for the purposes of providing advice only.

At 11:15 the Hearing Members, Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to the Hearing Returned to the Council Chamber.

The Chairman confirmed that the full detailed decision would be made and provided to the interested parties thereafter by the notice of determination. He advised the Hearing that the Sub-Committee had come to the conclusion that the premises licence be granted.

Resolved: That the Licence be granted subject to minor amendments in proposed conditions for the purpose of enforceability with the full decision to be published within 5 working days and provided to the parties thereafter. An informative to be included to explain that in the Sub-Committee’s view it would be highly inappropriate for a pavement licence to be granted for the pavement at the front of the premises.