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Agenda item
Application for a premises licence: Grand Elektra, 53-57 Robertson Street, Hastings
Minutes:
Councillor Street set out the procedure that the sub-committee would adopt (in accordance with standard practice), all parties confirmed they understood this.
The Assistant Director Environment and Place submitted a report on an application for a premises licence at Grand Elektra, 53-57 Robertson Street, Hastings. An objection had been received from the Police under the licensing objective for the prevention of crime and disorder.
Mr Brown, Licensing Manager, presented the report and gave an overview of the application. On 23 June 2015, the council had received an application for a new premises licence for the ground floor and basement of 53 – 57 Robertson Street, Hastings from Mr Oliver Ibrahim, a Director of Invest Nightlife Ltd. The premises were located on the site of the former West Exit Club and Electric Stag Bar. The Licensing Sub-Committee had previously rejected an application for these premises at their meeting on 8 June 2015.
Some additional supporting information from Invest Nightlife Ltd was circulated to members of the committee prior to the meeting, but did not form part of the formal documentation for the agenda.
Mrs Jean Irving, Head of Licensing and Public Safety for Sussex Police introduced the Police’s representation against the application, on the grounds that the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance would be undermined. She explained that the premises were located within Area 1(town centre) of the Council Special Saturation Policy (Cumulative Impact), and it was therefore only possible to grant permission for a new venue under exceptional circumstances. Mrs Irving stated there was nothing further that the applicants could have added to their operating schedule to improve it further.
Following the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on 8 June 2015, the Police had attended a site meeting with the applicant and environmental health officers to discuss the potential operational management of the club premises in relation to the four licensing objectives. In his representation, Chief Inspector Phelps, the Hastings Police Commander, acknowledged the efforts of the applicant to address the issues raised by their last application.
Mrs. Irving explained that particular consideration had been given to the security measures in place at the venue. A state of the art CCTV system had been installed at the premises, together with an electronic scanning device to record the identification of patrons. Mrs. Irving commented that such measures had proved effective in other areas in combatting crime. Due to the complex layout of the premises, which had previously been divided into two venues, the ratio of staff to patrons had also been considered and the Police had agreed minimum operating numbers with the applicant.
However, the Police stated that the concentration of late night premises in this part of the town caused problems of crime and disorder, and by its nature a new nightclub would create additional noise and disruption. By extending the opening hours of the premises, other nearby venues may submit similar applications to extend their opening times.
The applicant had agreed to additional conditions to limit the promotion of cheap alcoholic drinks and to ensure that alcohol was not advertised, visible or available for sale at events where people under 18 years of age would be in attendance.
If the application were granted, Mrs. Irving stated that the new premises would be closely monitored by the Police. She invited the committee to refuse the application.
The applicant, Mr Oliver Ibrahim, made a submission to the committee. He explained that he had not appealed the Licensing Sub-Committee’s decision of 8 June 2015, and instead had taken a pro-active approach by working with key agencies to address the issues raised against that application. He explained that the new application was substantially different to the previous proposal, and addressed the concerns raised in earlier representations.
Concerns had previously been raised about combining two previously separate venues, and the additional noise disturbance this could create, it was therefore proposed to limit live music and club nights to the basement area.
Mr Ibrahim highlighted that the electronic identification scanning system which had been installed at the premises was in keeping with the licensing objective to ensure public safety. The system also had the ability to share alerts with other venues using similar ID scanning equipment. As an exception to using the ID scanning equipment, the name and date of birth of customers who appear to be over the age of thirty, without ID, shall be recorded and a photographic image obtained.
A dismissal and ejection policy for the premises had also been included within the application. The applicant commented that the ratio of door supervisors to patrons on busier nights and special promotions was twice the recommended minimum number, which was intended to overcome any difficulties which may be caused by the usual layout of the venue.
To help reduce the possibility of public nuisance, a no re-entry policy would be in force at the venue after 2.00am. An ATM would also be installed at the premises to limit the number of people circulating in the town centre and mitigate the impact of the premises on the cumulative impact policy for the area.
Mr. Ibrahim continued that the new venture would bring significant investment to Hastings, promote tourism and the continued regeneration of the town centre. Fifty jobs would be created by the new venue; twenty three members of staff had already been employed. The new venture had received several letters and emails of support from the local community, including the Student’s Union of the University of Brighton. Indeed, the Student’s Union had placed a number of provisional bookings for the use of the venue for their events, if the premises licence was granted.
Members asked a number of questions of Mrs. Irving and Mr. Ibrahim regarding the proposed management arrangements for the premises and the impact of a new venue on the town centre.
RESOLVED (unanimously) to grant the application, with the following conditions:
All the conditions as detailed in the applicant’s operating schedule, plus the following:-
Live music and club nights should be restricted to the basement ‘Crypt’ area of the premises.
Any incidental background or piano (lounge) type music in the area of the premises known as 53 Robertson Street, shall be restricted to a level barely audible at the frontage of the nearest noise sensitive premises.
Regular checks to be made to ensure there is no serious breakout of sound at the premises.
External access to the area known as number 53 be restricted after 23:00hrs as per the recent application.
No deliveries or removal of glass/rubbish etc take place before 07:00hrs or after 23:00hrs.
And an amendment to the conditions on page 44 to read:
‘During the events that will have an attendance of under 18’s, no alcohol will be advertised or visible to young persons nor available for sale’.
The reason for this decision was:
The Committee have listened very carefully to all representations and are satisfied that the applicants have made substantive and significant changes to their previous application which in the committee’s view address the possible negative effects of Cumulative Impact.
The applicants have worked constructively with all agencies to achieve this outcome. The Committee are particularly impressed with the applicant’s commitment to patrons safety for example: the ID scanner; no drinks promotions, and the dispersal policy.
The Committee recognise the concerns expressed by the police, however it believes that the comprehensive application merits approval because it addresses these concerns.
The Committee have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State and its own policy.
Supporting documents:
- Application for a Premises Licence - Grand Electra, Robertson Street, item 18. PDF 120 KB
- Appendix A - Application for a Premises Licence - Grand Elektra, item 18. PDF 2 MB
- Appendix B - Map of area, Grand Elektra, item 18. PDF 133 KB
- Appendix C - Police representation & Environmental report - Grand Elektra, item 18. PDF 420 KB
- Appendix D - Letters of support - Grand Elektra, item 18. PDF 411 KB
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