To elect a Chairperson for the meeting

Councillor Paul Andrews was elected Chairperson for this meeting.

To receive apologies for absence.

To receive any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the committee.

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence in respect of 'Shooters Bar, Grafton House, Burgess Street, Leominster. HR6 8DE' - Licensing Act 2003.

Members of the licensing sub-committee from the Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the members in their agenda and the background papers and the supplements issued 17 March 2022.

Prior to making their decision the Council’s Licensing Officer presented the report which outlined the options available to the sub-committee.

The sub-committee heard from Environmental Health:

•   Concerns around the extension of time that premises could remain open would result in more noise issues.

•   Attending as they have not received an adequate updated Noise Management Plan (NMP)

•   Stressed the need for all procedures to be placed on the NMP, with guidance being previously sent to the applicant. But never receiving a suitable plan in return.

•   Stated that if they received and approved an NMP then they would not have any objections to the extension.

•   Issues could be exaggerated by extension into noise sensitive hours. And would like assurances management can control noise within the premises at late hours.

The sub-committee heard from the public representations:

•   Concerns raised about the extension to playing music late at night and the selling of alcohol, leading to noise complaints and anti-social behaviour in the town.

•   Raised that there had be 23 police incidents in the area in the past 6 months, but failed to provide direct link to premises

•   Believed the variations on the license could place the premises on par with a nightclub in Hereford without any of the conditions placed upon them.

•   Only able to attribute four category 1 incidents that specifically referenced the premises. Three of those were assaults – on this point the Licensing Officer clarified that these incidents are created as someone has used the premise to contact the police. But, they are unable to determine whether the calls involving the premises are due to an incident at the premises or someone coming in off the street requesting help.

•   Councillors have received complaints from members of the town in regards to late night police and ambulance presence.  

•   People who live in close proximity to the premises, such as above local shops claim there to be a lack of sound insulation. These frustrations have been reported online social media platforms but not to the correct authorities to deal with.

•   It was noted that it is difficult to get police officers out after 10pm to the area. It is thought that a further extension of the license and lack of police presence could see a strain on residents

•   CCTV has been funded from the town council to overview the area that has been linked to anti-social behaviour.

•   Street cleaning staff often report cigarette ends and broken glass close to the business.

•   Concern over fire doors being left open during warm weather causing noise disturbances

The sub-committee then heard from the applicant via their agent:

•   The premises underwent an extensive programme of sound proofing and upgrading in 2018.

•  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172.