To consider an application for a grant of a premises licence in respect of Bridge Thai Street Food, 7 Bridge Street, Hereford. HR4 9DF under the 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 supplementary information published on 24 September 2024.

Prior to making its decision the Council’s Licensing Officer presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee. No representations were received from the Responsible Authorities. Four relevant representations were received from members of the public. The Licensing Officer summarised the application and provided an overview of the representations received.

The Sub-Committee then heard from the applicant and applicant’s representative that:

·       The restaurant was established and successful with a small number of customers eating in the premises or food being provided by takeaway

·       The application would allow customers to have an alcoholic drink with their meal and to accompany in take away meals.

·       The restaurant would close before the clubs shut and the food from the premises is restaurant fare and not fast food therefore not appealing to people leaving pubs and clubs

·       Temporary Event Notices (TENs) had been used recently to allow the restaurant to serve alcohol and no issues had been raised concerning the serving of alcohol at the premises.

·       There had been no representations from the responsible authorities, including West Mercia Police, the licensing authority and environmental health.

·       There had been four representations on the application, including three which had been anonymous. Reference in the representations had been made to noise nuisance, crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour.

·       It was noted that there were a number of other licensed premises locally and data had indicated that the number of crime and disorder incidents locally was minor.

·       Due to the nature of the premises as a restaurant it was unlikely that people will loiter outside the venue.

·       The restaurant would use distinctive takeaway boxes which would allow any litter issues to be identified and addressed.

Following questioning by the Sub-Committee it was confirmed that:

·       It was confirmed that there was no bar area and that alcohol would be served to the table.

·       Alcohol at the premises had been served in accordance with the TENs.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered all the representations, reports and evidence before them. They have had regard to their duties under S4 of the Licensing Act and considered guidance issued under s182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Herefordshire Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2020

- 2025.

DECISION

The Sub-Committee’s decision is to approve the application as applied for.

REASONS

The Sub-Committee has taken into account the detailed representations and information presented to the hearing by Senior Technical Licensing Officer, Emma Bowell and Mr Semper on behalf of the applicant.

The Sub-Committee fully recognises the concerns raised by the local residents and the reasons why the representations were made. The Sub-Committee can only consider those representations that relate to one or more of the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee notes that there were no representations received from the responsible authorities, which includes West Mercia Police, Trading Standard and Environmental Protection.

The Sub-Committee has considered the 4 relevant representations made by members of the public. The representations relate to anti-social behaviour, damage to property, litter and noise causing disturbance and nuisance to local residents and businesses. It was raised that there is potential for patrons of the premises causing disruption within the local area generally. The Sub-Committee notes that 3 of these representations were anonymous and will therefore attach appropriate weight to them in these circumstances.

The Sub-Committee notes the detailed submissions made by Mr Semper in support of the premises licence application and note that the premises has operated under TENs for the last 6 weeks without any problems. The Sub-Committee notes the analysis of the representations made against the granting of the application by Mr Semper and measures that are being taken to ensure this premises will not impact negatively on the local area.

The Sub-Committee considers that the application made is comprehensive and will promote the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee would strongly advise that should the premises licence conditions not be complied with, that the residents inform Herefordshire Council Environmental Health and Licensing Department as well as the other appropriate Responsible Authorities so that concerns are properly documented as soon as practicable.