The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for the Ruislip Manor Sports and Social Club. The meeting was a resumed hearing from a previous adjournment, with the primary focus on the application for a new licence for the club.

Application for a Premises Licence: Ruislip Manor Sports and Social Club

The main item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new Premises Licence for the Ruislip Manor Sports and Social Club, located at Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, HA4 6JQ. This application was made by Ruislip Manor Sports and Social Club Limited. The club is described as a football clubhouse within the Wealdstone FC sports ground, comprising a multi-room building with internal bars, a lounge, function room, and an external servery with a patio area. The application sought to authorise licensable activities including the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment (live music, films, indoor sporting events, dance performances), and late-night refreshment.

The report pack indicated that the application had attracted representations from two Responsible Authorities: the Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Authority. The Metropolitan Police lodged a holding representation raising concerns related to crime and disorder, specifically mentioning the management of outdoor licensable activities, extended hours for events, the scope of the licensable area, the adequacy of proposed conditions, and capacity controls. The Licensing Authority also made representations, focusing on crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. Their concerns included the need for tighter CCTV controls, a competent operator on site, a more detailed incident log, clarity on the presence of the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) or Personal Licence Holder (PLH) when trading, and issues surrounding a pop-up/marquee bar. They also raised public nuisance concerns regarding late outdoor entertainment, extended non-standard timings, and the potential for late-night activity extending to 04:30 hours, particularly in light of the premises being surrounded by residential properties. The Licensing Authority also sought clarification on the future of the existing Premises Licence and Club Premises Certificate should the new licence be granted, and requested a reduction in the proposed licensable area.

The applicant had proposed a new operating schedule with extended hours compared to the current licence, including flexibility for specific dates and Wembley Stadium event days. The report pack noted that the applicant had indicated a willingness to address some of the concerns raised, such as withdrawing outdoor regulated entertainment, reducing seasonal timings, and limiting the scope of Wembley event extensions.

The report pack also detailed the current Premises Licence and Club Premises Certificate held by the club, outlining their respective authorised activities and hours. The application was being considered as a new premises licence application rather than a variation, as the proposals were considered a substantial change from the existing authorisation. The report also referenced relevant sections of the Secretary of State's Guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Hillingdon's own Statement of Licensing Policy, which guide the determination of such applications and the imposition of conditions to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The report included proposed conditions for the new licence, covering aspects such as a Challenge 25 policy, the use of polycarbonate vessels, security staff requirements, signage, an incident log, staff training, and litter picking. It also detailed the current licence conditions, which included specific requirements for CCTV, noise management, and the use of SIA security staff for the external bar.

The meeting was scheduled to consider these representations and the proposed conditions in relation to the application for the new Premises Licence.