Agenda item

4.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report to consider an application to vary a Premises Licence made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003, in respect of the premises known as Rawson Spring, Langsett Road, Sheffield, S6 2LN.

4.2

Present at the meeting were Deborah Hay (Solicitor representing the Applicants), Emma Parkinson (Area Manager, JD Weatherspoon), Grace Hopkins (Designated Premises Supervisor, Rawson Spring), Andy Ruston (Licensing Officer), Kavita Ladva (Solicitor to the Sub-Committee), Louise Slater (Solicitor, observing) and John Turner (Democratic Services).

4.3

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

4.4

Andy Ruston presented the report to the Sub-Committee and it was noted that representations had been received from a local resident and were attached at Appendix ‘C’ to the report.  The local resident did not attend the hearing.

4.5

Deborah Hay stated that the premises were one of four JD Weatherspoon pubs situated in suburban areas of the City.  The pub premises were generally very busy and customer demand was the main reason for the application to extend the opening hours. The premises were very well run and there had been no complaints or concerns raised by the Police or any of the other responsible authorities.  In terms of the representations made by the local resident, Ms Hay stated that there were around five other licensed premises in the surrounding area and that the objector had provided no evidence to prove that the incidents of public nuisance were linked directly to the premises.  With regard to the problems caused by taxis parking opposite the premises on Rudyard Road, there was no evidence to suggest that the proposed extension to the opening hours would result in an increase in the use of taxis at this location.  The majority of customers who frequented the premises lived locally, and generally walked to and from the premises.  In terms of noise nuisance, there were signs on both access doors requesting customers to leave quietly and, on those occasions when there were DJs at the premises, which was generally at weekends, they would request that customers left quietly at the end of the night.

4.6

In response to questions from Members of, and the Solicitor to, the Sub-Committee, it was confirmed that the present operating hours were 09:00 to 23:30 hours Sunday to Thursday and 09:00 to 01:00 hours Friday and Saturday.  Whilst there had been no direct requests from customers for the opening hours to be extended, the management had taken the decision to apply for the extended hours based on the numbers of customers in the premises at the end of the night.  The age of the clientele was mixed and there was no entertainment, in terms of amplified music or otherwise, from Sunday to Thursday.  Staff held regular meetings to discuss any issues of concern but, to date, management had not received any complaints from local residents regarding noise or other anti-social behaviour.  Whilst it could not be confirmed, it was believed that other public houses in the area opened until 00:00 hours Sunday to Thursday. If any complaints from local residents were received, they would be addressed, in the first instance, by the Manager and if they were still not resolved, a meeting would be called with the Area Manager.  In such cases, the complainants would be provided with the telephone numbers of members of staff at the premises so that they could contact them if any further problems arose.  Management had no reported records of any incidents of crime and disorder caused by clientele from the premises.  There were very few problems during the week as food was served up until 22:00 hours and there was more of a family atmosphere during this time.  If there were any accidents or incidents at the premises, the Manager on duty at the time was required to complete a relevant form, copies of which were maintained on the company’s website, and which could be viewed by senior management.  Any officer from the responsible authorities would be able to visit the premises and view such forms on request.  Any comments raised by local residents would be logged by the Designated Premises Supervisor and raised at one of the regular Managers’ meetings.  Further to Annexe 2 – Conditions consistent with the operating schedule, it was confirmed that the arrangements in terms of the reduction in the volume of music to a suitable level, thirty minutes prior to closing, would continue if the opening hours were extended.

4.7

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees involved in the hearing 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.

4.8

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

4.9

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

4.10

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee agrees to grant the variation to the Premises Licence in respect of Rawson Spring, Langsett Road, Sheffield, S6 2LN, in the terms now requested.

(The full reasons for the Sub-Committee’s decision and the operating conditions will be included in the Notice of Determination.)