The Licensing Panel C meeting was scheduled to consider applications for new and varied premises licences. The panel was set to review applications for a new premises licence at 77 Gloucester Avenue and a variation to the existing licence for Imperial Restaurant Bar at 44-46 Birchington Road.

77 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD

An application was scheduled for discussion regarding a new premises licence for 77 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8LD, in the Primrose Hill ward. The application was for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 10:00 and 22:00 Monday to Sunday, with slightly extended hours on Saturdays and Sundays. The proposed opening hours were 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday, and 09:00 to 22:00 on Saturdays and Sundays.

The report indicated that fifteen representations opposing the application had been received from residents, citing concerns related to the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, ensuring public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm. Nine representations were received in support of the application. The applicant, FANCY PALATE LTD, proposed various conditions to address these concerns, including operating a Challenge 25 policy, maintaining a refusals log, and implementing CCTV coverage. They also stated that alcohol would only be served as an accompaniment to food, with no vertical drinking areas or promotion as a drinking venue. The applicant also proposed conditions regarding external seating areas, deliveries, and waste management.

Several residents submitted objections, raising concerns about the potential for increased noise, litter, anti-social behaviour, and traffic due to alcohol sales and takeaway services in a predominantly residential area. Concerns were also raised about the impact on children and the precedent that granting a licence for a small premises could set. Conversely, some representations supported the application, viewing the proposed establishment as a positive addition to the neighbourhood and a benefit to local businesses.

Imperial Restaurant Bar, 44-46 Birchington Road, NW6 4LJ

The panel was also scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for the Imperial Restaurant Bar, located at 44-46 Birchington Road, NW6 4LJ, in the Kilburn ward. The proposed variation included extending the licensed area to incorporate the adjacent premises at 44 Birchington Road, altering licensing hours, and removing the late-night refreshment activity.

The proposed new hours for the supply of alcohol were 10:00 to 22:30 Monday to Sunday. Live and recorded music were proposed for Friday and Saturday evenings from 23:00 to 00:00. The premises would be open to the public from 09:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday.

Four relevant representations were received in opposition to the application, from the Environmental Health department and three residents, including a petition. These representations focused on concerns related to public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety. Following discussions with Environmental Health, the applicant agreed to amended conditions, which were then incorporated into the application. These agreed conditions included restrictions on the use of the outside seating area, specific hours for deliveries and collections, and the provision of manager contact details for residents. The applicant also proposed to remove live and recorded music activities, and to cease late-night refreshment.

Emails between the applicant's representative, Dilek Alagoz of Kaplan Consulting, and Environmental Health Officer Lee Perella indicated that the Environmental Health representation was withdrawn following agreement on amended conditions and reduced operating hours. The applicant proposed a closing time of 23:00 daily, with last alcohol sales at 22:30, and confirmed that the premises would operate purely as a restaurant with only soft background music. The total capacity of the premises, including the new area and external terrace, was stated to be 170 persons.

The report also detailed the existing licence conditions for the Imperial Restaurant Bar, which included provisions for CCTV, incident logs, a Challenge 25 policy, and restrictions on noise and deliveries. The proposed variation aimed to align the licence more closely with the current operation of the premises as a restaurant.