Sevenoaks Town and St Johns

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Hearing and introduced those present.

The Hearing gave consideration to the report by the Senior Licensing Officer. A new application had been received for a Premises Licence pursuant to Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. It was highlighted that 4 representations had been made to the Hearing by local residents against the application and not 3 as mentioned in the report. It was highlighted that the exhibition of films at section K of the licence application had been amended by the Applicants. The application was not asking for the licensable activity of showing films and this was not to be considered by the Hearing.

The Applicants were invited to present their proposals. The Applicants emphasised that the premises was primarily a work-space and not a drinks venue. The licence applied for sought approval to sell alcohol at professional events such as fundraisers or networking occasions. The Applicant explained that no parties, birthdays or sports events would be hosted at the venue.

The Applicants outlined that the Premises would be open to the public from 08:00 until 18:00 hours and for Members from 07:00 to 19:00 hours. The licensing hours were requested from 08:00 hours until 23:00 hours to allow for a business brunch style experience and fundraisers, local womens groups etc.. The Applicants were interested in putting on wine-tasting events by professional external companies. The professional events were expected to end no later than 22:00 hours.

The Applicants outlined that no noise or public nuisance complaints had been made to the Authorities regarding the premises and no concerns had been raised to the Applicants directly. It was explained that parking was not available at the premises and this was highlighted to patrons on the Applicants’ website. Patrons with cars were encouraged to walk or make use of Sevenoaks Car Parks. A shower had been installed to encourage cycling to the venue, the Applicant also outlined that bike storage was being looked into.

It was highlighted that parking bays were only available for residents within the immediate areas which had been subject to alterations during planning construction works through the normal processes.

It was also outlined that Sevenoaks District Council were looking to hire the venue to host professional events in the future.

Members asked questions of clarification of the Applicants.

The premises operated a membership programme whereby Members could attend from 07:00 until 19:00 hours and obtain discounts on the facilities work-spaces.

Some concern was raised about licensing hours early in the morning on a Sunday. The Applicants had applied for the maximum licensable hours.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00pm and the Licensing Sub-Committee Members withdrew to consider the application accompanied by the Legal Advisor and Democratic Services Officer.

At 12:25 the Licensing Sub-Committee Members, Legal Advisor and Democratic Services Officer returned to the Chamber.

The Chairman confirmed that the full detailed decision would be made and provided to the interested parties thereafter by the Notice of Determination within 5 working days. The Chairman informed the Hearing that the sub-Committee had come to the decision that, having had regard to the representations made by the Applicants and interested parties, the Licensing objectives, the Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy the Sub-Committee’s decision was that the application be granted for the following licensable hours:

Monday to Thursday from 08:00 until 22:30 hours

Friday to Saturday from 08:00 until 23:00 hours

Sunday from 10:00 until 20:00 hours

An informative was added that anyone could call for a Review of a Premises Licence if adequate concern arose.

Resolved: That having had regard to the representations made by the applicant and the interested parties, the Licensing Objectives, Statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended) and the Council’s licensing policy the Sub-Committee’s decision was to grant the licence for the following licensable hours:

Monday to Thursday from 08:00 until 22:30 hours

Friday to Saturday from 08:00 until 23:00 hours

Sunday from 10:00 until 20:00 hours,

subject to minor amendments in proposed conditions for the purpose of enforceability and an informative to confirm that the Premises licence could be subject to a Review if complaints arose. The Full decision notice was as attached to these minutes.