Agenda item

5.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report on an application made under Section 17 of the Licencing Act 2003, for the grant of a premises licence in respect of the premises known as Alma Street Social, 24 Alma Street, Sheffield S3 8SA (Ref No. 83/21).

5.2

Present at the meeting were Kieran Crosby (Applicant), Leigh Schelvis (Applicant’s Solicitor), Luke Fitzmaurice (Applicant’s Agent), Jayne Gough (Licensing Strategy and Policy Officer), Marie-Claire Frankie (Solicitor to the Sub-Committee) and John Turner (Democratic Services).

5.3

Marie-Claire Frankie outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

5.4

Jayne Gough presented the report to the Sub-Committee, and it was noted that representations had been received from one interested party and were set out at Appendix ‘B’ to the report.  They had received an invite to the meeting, but were not in attendance. Ms Gough added that the applicants had revised the application by request of the Environmental Protection Service (EPS), by agreeing to reduce the hours on the operating schedule, amending Regulated Entertainment to be provided “indoors only” and removing all references to broadcasting amplified music outside.  The applicants had also agreed that several conditions be added to the licence, if granted, and which were set out in Appendix ‘C’ to the report.

5.5

Leigh Schelvis reported that the applicants – Alma Street Social Ltd, were part of the Future Sounds Group, the largest live music brand in Yorkshire, and which had been hosting and running live music venues, and had been associated with live music, for 20 years.  The applicants were very experienced, and had hosted gigs and events for some of the world's biggest artists.  The group was currently operating two multi-purpose venues in Leeds, which hosted other artists as well as bands, and both had food and drink offerings.  The applicants had an excellent record with the Licencing Service in Leeds, and had never had any premises licences revoked, or caused any concerns.  The premises comprised a two-storey, industrial unit, with a bar/bistro on the first floor, and a live music/multi-purpose venue on the ground floor.  The venue aimed to be the centre of the Kelham Island community, and fit in with the style of other licensed premises in the area.  It would be a venue where people could meet for a drink and/or food, businesses could hold meetings or host events, and students could go and study.  The drink offer would comprise a selection of craft beers, wines and spirits, and there would be an easy-going food menu.  The applicants had worked proactively with the EPS in agreeing a list of conditions, which related mainly to noise control and the prevention of nuisance, following which the Service had withdrawn its objection to the application.  Mr Schelvis also referred to other conditions on the operating schedule.  He stressed that there were no live objections from the responsible authorities.  He referred to the objection received from the Kelham Island and Neepsend Neighbourhood Forum (KINNF), and summarised the group’s concerns, which focused mainly on noise control and the prevention of nuisance.  In terms of the licensing objectives, Mr Schelvis stated that the only one relevant to this application was the prevention of public nuisance and, again, referred to the conditions agreed with the EPS in this regard.

5.6

Mr Schelvis stated that the applicants had engaged with the local community, as well as the EPS, during the application process.  With regard to the objections regarding late opening hours, he referred to the information circulated prior to the hearing, which set out the opening times, and locations of, other licensed premises in the Kelham Island area, indicating that most of the venues had longer opening hours.

5.7

In response to questions from Members of, and the solicitor to, the Sub-Committee, it was stated that whilst there was no agreed figure in terms of the capacity of the venue, it was envisaged that it would be no more than 350.  In terms of the earlier closing times referred to by the objectors, Mr Schelvis stated that this did not represent a like for like comparison as some of the venues referred to were restaurants, which were likely to close earlier.  It was stressed again that the opening hours had been suggested by the EPS.  Whilst there had been no engagement with KINNF prior to the application, the applicants had liaised with the Forum during the application process, through the Licensing Service.  There was also another local group known as the Kelham Island and Neepsend Community Alliance (KINCA), and with whom the applicants had also been in contact with during the application process.  The closest residents to the premises lived across the road.

5.8

Leigh Schelvis summarised the case on behalf of the applicants.

5.9

Jayne Gough outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee.

5.10

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees involved in the application be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

5.11

Marie-Claire Frankie reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

5.12

At this stage in the proceedings, the public and press and attendees were re-admitted to the meeting.

5.13

RESOLVED: That, in the light of the information contained in the report now submitted , the additional information circulated prior to the hearing , the representations now made and the responses to the questions raised, approval be given for the grant of a premises licence in respect of the premises known as Alma Street Social, 24 Alma Street, Sheffield, S3 8SA (Ref No. 83/21), subject to the agreed changes to the proposed operating schedule and the conditions agreed with the Environmental Protection Services prior to the hearing, and as set out in the report now submitted.

(NOTE: The full reasons for the Sub-Committee’s decision, and the full list of changes to the operating schedule and agreed conditions agreed prior to the hearing, will be set out in the written Notice of Determination.)