The Licensing & Gambling Sub-Committee are scheduled to meet to consider a premises licence application for Gusto's Pizza. The sub-committee will hear representations for and against the application before making a determination.

Premises Licence Application: Gusto's Pizza, 305 Aigburth Road

The sub-committee will consider an application by Gustos Pizza Ltd for a premises licence for Gusto's Pizza, located at 305 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 0BJ. The application seeks permission for late night refreshment indoors and recorded music, with opening hours until 02:00 on Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays, and until 05:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

During the consultation period, agreements were made with Merseyside Police and Environmental Health officers regarding the application. These include:

• Reduced hours, with closure at 01:00 on Mondays to Thursdays and 02:00 on Fridays to Sundays.
• Installation of CCTV, incident logs, and leave quietly signs.
• Measures to control noise, including closing windows and doors, and prohibiting external speakers.

The sub-committee will consider representations received from the Planning and Building Control department, as well as from other persons.

Representations

Planning and Building Control

Stuart Clark from Planning and Building Control has submitted a representation objecting to the licence application. The representation notes that the premises does not have planning permission for use as a hot food takeaway, and that the lawful use of the premises is as a café, with a condition requiring the premises to close at 22:30. The representation states that allowing the premises to open beyond 22:30 would lead to unacceptable levels of late night nuisance and disturbance .

Other Persons

Several representations have been received from other persons, raising concerns about the potential for crime, disorder, public nuisance, and harm to children. The concerns raised in the representations include:

• Antisocial behaviour and criminal activity.
• Noise pollution and disturbance to residents.
• Litter and broken glass.
• The impact on children walking to school.

One representation refers to problems in nearby Lark Lane and Allerton Road, stating that Aigburth Vale should not be allowed to suffer a similar fate.

Another representation raises concerns about the security of a nearby unit in Cavern Walks, due to the potential for customers to congregate and drink in the centre outside the record shop.

Licensing Officer Comments

The Licensing Officer's comments note that the sub-committee is obliged to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives outlined in the Licensing Act 2003:

• The prevention of crime and disorder.
• Public safety.
• The prevention of public nuisance.
• The protection of children from harm.

The sub-committee must also have regard to the council's licensing policy and any relevant representations made. The Licensing Officer's comments also outline the steps that the sub-committee can take, including granting the licence with conditions, excluding licensable activities, refusing to specify a premises supervisor, or rejecting the application.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors Christine Banks, Anthony Lavelle and Alan Gibbons will be asked to declare any interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the council's code of conduct.