Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting (these will be circulated separately).

The Chair opened the meeting and introductions were made.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

To receive any apologies for absence

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive any declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

The Sub-Committee were required to consider an application to review a premises licence for the following premises:

Epicure

75 High Street

Hemel Hempstead

Hertfordshire

HP1 3AF

Please refer to the video minutes for full discussion.

Decision

A public consultation took place and 13 representations were received from residents living near the premises. These related to concerns about the proposed activities and opening hours likely having a detrimental impact on the area, thus causing a public nuisance and or anti-social behaviour.

The Sub-Committee had been informed that the Applicant attempted to mitigate the resident's concerns by proposing amendments to the existing application. The new proposals were put forward and all interested parties including, the objectors, were notified and no further representations were received following the mediation.

At the hearing, the Applicant’s representative, Mr Edge, explained that the business had a robust operating schedule, policies and procedures in place to ensure that the licencing objectives were not compromised. They had spent large sums of money on high-quality extraction system to take away the noise and smell. Furthermore, they had been working with licensing expert(s) to advise them on best practices. Their staff would be adequately trained and there would be a strong management presence on the Premises.The Applicant is a responsible businessman with 30 years of experience in this business. The Premises hold 22-25 customers at any one time and will be managed by 3-4 members of staff (including management staff). Mr Turan explained that there is outside seating capacity for 8 persons.

Mr Edge said that the premises will always remain as a café/restaurant, as it is now save for the serving of alcohol, and not be converted to a vertical drinking establishment. Mr Turan has confirmed that intention by revising his application, so that his establishment is licensed to sell alcohol only between those hours, and he is content for a licence not to cover a vertical drinking establishment.

The Sub-Committee heard from an objector who had registered to speak. She explained that she experienced direct disturbance as a result of living in immediate proximity to the Premises namely persistent noise emanating from the Premises, which was having a detrimental impact on her life and the enjoyment of her home. The Objector was concerned that this problem would be further exacerbated should the license be granted. She further explained that she had lived on her property for 20 years. The premises was converted to a café by its previous occupier in 2020, and has been used as a café since 2020; before that, it was a shop.

The Sub-Committee had taken into account the representations made both written and orally in addition to all other relevant factors, guidance and policies.

The Committee considered the objections, and the helpful submissions of Miss Boylan, who lives above the premises. Miss Boylan has been disturbed by noise emanating from the premises which, currently operates as a café. Miss Boylan says the overall situation has improved since Mr Turan took over, but she  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.