The Licensing Sub-Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council was scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Blaze, a business located at 49 Kew Road, Richmond. The committee was also to review its own procedures for hearings.

Blaze - 49 Kew Road, Richmond

The main item scheduled for discussion was an opposed application for a variation of the premises licence for Blaze, located at 49 Kew Road, Richmond. The application sought to extend the hours for the provision of late-night refreshment and the premises' opening hours.

Currently, Blaze is licensed to provide late-night refreshment for takeaway between 11:00 pm and midnight seven days a week. The proposed variation would extend these hours to 2:00 am on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The premises' opening hours are also proposed to be extended from midnight to 2:00 am on Thursdays through Sundays, while remaining open until midnight on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

The report pack indicated that the application was situated within the Richmond town centre Cumulative Impact Zone¹. This policy aims to prevent a significant number of licensed premises in one area from negatively impacting the promotion of the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Under this policy, applicants must demonstrate that their proposed variation will not have an adverse effect on the cumulative impact.

The report pack included a representation from an interested party, the Richmond Society, which objected to the application. The Richmond Society's objection was based on all four licensing objectives and the Cumulative Impact Policy. They argued that extending late-night refreshment hours would exacerbate existing issues of anti-social behaviour, crime, and public nuisance in Richmond town centre, which they stated are often linked to excessive alcohol consumption. The Society also highlighted concerns about litter and the potential for increased disturbance to local residents, particularly those living near Northumbria Court and along Kew Road. They noted that public transport options are limited in the early hours of the morning, which could lead to customers lingering in the area. The Richmond Society also expressed concern that granting this application would set a precedent for future applications within the Cumulative Impact Zone.

No representations were received from responsible authorities.

The Sub-committee was asked to consider whether to grant the application with or without conditions, grant it in part with or without conditions, or refuse the application. The decision was to be made in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003², statutory guidance, and the Council's own Statement of Licensing Policy.

Licensing Sub-Committee Procedures

The committee was also scheduled to confirm the procedure for the hearing. This included outlining the roles of the Chairman and legal advisor, the process for declarations of interest, and the rules for presenting cases, cross-examination, and making determinations. The procedures detailed that hearings are generally held in public, but the Sub-committee may exclude the public if deemed necessary. It also outlined the process for a five-minute rule for parties to present their case, with the Chairman having discretion to extend this time. The procedures also covered the possibility of witnesses being called and the closing submissions from all parties.