The meeting considered applications relating to two premises licences, for Sir Colin Campbell and Haylaz Brasseria. The licence variation for Sir Colin Campbell pub was granted, with conditions, but for reduced hours. The application for the new licence for Haylaz Brasseria was granted in full.

Sir Colin Campbell

The application from Sir Colin Campbell pub was for a variation to its licence to allow it to open later.

The Metropolitan Police objected to the application on the grounds that 12 crimes had been linked to the pub in the previous six months. The Police argued that these crimes were typical of late night venues.

As detailed in the agenda, it was confirmed that the crime figures showed that in the last 6 months (9 February – 9 August 2024) 12 calls to the Police or crime investigations had occurred at or were linked to the premises. The reports/calls to Police include assaults, theft, suspicious circumstances and a number of burglaries. ... PC Rachel Aldis stated that this level of crime reporting was consistent with a late night venue closing at 2.00-3.00am and, therefore was higher than the expected level.

The Applicant argued that the pub was a quiet community venue, and that some of the crimes reported had occured as a result of staff helping victims of crime. The Applicant also noted that the venue had held three Temporary Events Notices in 2024 without any issues.

The Licensing Authority also objected to the application, on the grounds that the pub is in a mixed development and that the applicant had not proposed any conditions that would mitigate against public nuisance.

After deliberation the Licensing Panel decided to grant the variation, but for reduced hours than those requested. The Panel accepted the Applicant's argument that the pub was a quiet, well run venue. It also noted that the venue had held three TENs in 2024 without incident. In its decision the Panel stated:

...they would be willing to grant the hours the venue previously operated under which were offered by the Applicant at the start of the hearing. ... Panel Members considered that to grant the licence variation with the reduced hours and additional conditions would promote the crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance licensing objectives.

Haylaz Brasseria

The application from Haylaz Brasseria was for a new licence to allow it to open as a restaurant. The application had been objected to by two local residents, Jonny White and Monika Szczygiel.

Mr White raised concerns about noise from the venue's garden, stating that his flat only had single glazing. He also noted that plans for a new extraction unit would mean that the unit was visible from his flat, but accepted that this was a planning matter, and not a licensing matter.

Ms Szczygiel objected to the application on the grounds of public nuisance. She was particularly concerned about noise from the garden. She stated that:

Even with only 4-5 people speaking in the garden, noise could be heard inside resident’s bedrooms even with the windows closed.

She also noted that the noise assessment submitted with the application had been carried out at the venue, and not in the flats that might be affected by noise.

The Applicants stated that they had already commissioned a noise assessment, and were willing to implement its recommendations. They also argued that the noise levels in the area were already high.

The Applicant replied that residents should inform the premises if there were issues with unusual noise and they could monitor any issues when they arose and act responsibly, but it was not possible for them to fully control the level of noise because the venue was in a well-known location where the residents chose to live.

The Panel decided to grant the application. The Panel noted that the main concern was noise, and addressed this by adding a condition that the garden should close at 6pm. It also added a condition requiring the Applicant to implement the recommendations made in the noise assessment. Having done this, the Panel:

...were of the view that they would go some way to promote the licensing objectives and reduce any disturbance to residents above and were minded granting the application as applied for.