The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council met on Wednesday, 17 January 2024, to consider an application for a premises licence for Milan Palace. The meeting's agenda focused on this single application, with no other substantive items scheduled for discussion.

Application for a Premises Licence at Milan Palace

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a Premises Licence for Milan Palace, located at Rear of 68 The Green, Southall, UB2 4BG. The application was made by Jamshid Frough.

The proposed licensable activities and hours requested were:

• Supply of Alcohol (On the premises): Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 to 00:00; Friday to Saturday, 10:00 to 01:00.
• Performance of Plays, Live Music, Recorded Music, and Performance of Dance: Sunday to Thursday, 08:00 to 00:00; Friday to Saturday, 08:00 to 01:00.
• Late Night Refreshment: Sunday to Thursday, 23:00 to 00:00; Friday to Saturday, 23:00 to 01:00.

The report pack indicated that one representation had been received from the Ealing Council Noise Team and another from the Metropolitan Police Service. The committee was asked to consider the application, representations, and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, with the potential to:

• Grant the application in full.
• Grant the application subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule.
• Grant the application subject to revised conditions necessary to promote the licensing objectives.
• Reject the application in part or in full.

The report pack detailed the premises' location within a Special Policy Area, as defined in the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy. It also outlined the consultation process undertaken, including statutory notices and notifications to responsible authorities.

The Noise and Nuisance team, represented by Ewelina Kaczowka, had agreed conditions with the licence holder. The Metropolitan Police Service made representations concerning the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

The committee was directed to consider the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which sets out proposed management standards and controls to promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The policy also outlines core hours for licensable activities, with applications outside these hours being considered on their own merit. The report highlighted legal implications under the Licensing Act 2003 and potential considerations under the Human Rights Act 1998.

The application form itself provided detailed information about the applicant, Jamshid Frough, and the agent, Manpreet Singh Kapoor. It also specified the premises address as Milan Palace, Rear of 68 The Green, Southall, UB2 4BG. The application indicated that Jamshid Frough was applying as an individual and confirmed his entitlement to work in the UK. The proposed hours for various licensable activities were reiterated within the application form.

The report pack also included the operating schedule, which detailed the steps intended to promote the four licensing objectives. These included measures such as a Challenge 25 policy, CCTV installation and recording, staff training in responsible alcohol retailing, and the availability of substantial food and non-alcoholic beverages. Specific conditions were proposed for the prevention of crime and disorder, including CCTV requirements to the satisfaction of the Police, an incident log, and the presence of a personal licence holder on duty at all times when alcohol is sold. For public safety, measures such as appropriate safety equipment and compliance with fire, health, and safety laws were mentioned. To prevent public nuisance, conditions included not serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals, encouraging patrons to wait inside for taxis, and displaying notices requesting patrons to leave quietly. For the protection of children from harm, the Challenge 25 policy was to be enforced, with specific acceptable forms of photographic identification listed.

The report also contained information regarding entitlement to work in the UK for licence holders and notes on regulated entertainment, outlining exemptions and requirements under the Licensing Act 2003.

A representation from the Metropolitan Police Service, signed by Police Constable Vickie Hewison, detailed concerns regarding the application. The representation highlighted that Milan Palace is located in a Special Policy Area due to issues with crime, anti-social behaviour, and nuisance. It noted that the premises previously had its supply of alcohol hours removed following a Summary Review hearing in November 2020 due to breaches of Covid regulations, and that the applicant, Jamshid Frough, had previously been fined for breaching regulations. The police raised concerns about the requested hours being outside the Council's core hours and cited several crime reports occurring at the premises since January 2023, including assaults and a strangulation incident. A significant concern raised was the alleged failure by Jamshid Frough to provide CCTV footage to the police on multiple occasions, which is a condition of the current premises licence. The police stated their belief that granting the supply of alcohol would increase crime and disorder, thus not promoting the licensing objectives.

Correspondence from Ewelina Kaczowka, Noise and Nuisance Officer, indicated that the Pollution Control Team would not object to the application, provided specific conditions were added to the licence regarding the closure of windows and doors during entertainment activities and prohibiting entertainment in external areas. Manpreet S Kapoor, representing the applicant, confirmed acceptance of these proposed conditions.