Issue - meetings

To consider an application for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 made by the following:

Applicant:  St Neots Rugby Union Football Club Ltd

Premises: St Neots Rugby Club, The Clubhouse, New Street, St Neots PE19 6RR

Having considered all the above, the Members determined to GRANT the application on the following terms:

a. Performance of Plays - indoors

Friday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

b. Provision of Films - indoors

Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 1100hrs to 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday – 1100hrs to 00:00hrs

c. Provision of Indoor Sport Events

Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 1100hrs to 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

e. Provision of Live Music - indoors

Friday and Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

f. Provision of Recorded Music - indoors

Friday and Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

g. Provision of Performance of Dance - indoors

Friday and Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

h. Anything of a similar nature to that falling within (e), (f), or (g)

Friday and Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

i. Late Night Refreshment- indoors

Friday and Saturday – 2300hrs to 00:00hrs

j. Supply of Alcohol – on sales

Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 1100hrs to 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday – 1100hrs to 00:00hrs

l. Supply of Alcohol – off-sales

  Monday to Sunday – 1100hrs to 2200hrs

The Members noted that the Applicant had already pulled back the hours for licensable activities in mediation with the Interested Parties and this was welcomed by the Committee.

The Members listened to the concerns of the Interested Parties regarding Off-Sales of Alcohol and noted that the application as drafted would have provided limited control on how and when Off-Sales could take place.

The Members determined that the easiest way to deal with this issue was to exclude the patio area from the scope of the Premises with reference to the Licensing Plan. The Members felt the patio being included within the Licensed Area created difficulties around ensuring adequate control measures to promote the Licensing Objectives. The Members felt that these matters would be more easily addressed if the patio area was removed from the scope of the Premises Licence. Any sales of alcohol to the patio area or elsewhere will be off-sales of alcohol.

In relation to off-sales, the Members determined that it was appropriate and proportionate to restrict the hours for off-sales to less than those applied for in respect of on-sales. Members determined that 2200hrs was the correct time for off-sales to cease in line with a reduction in external activity after this time and as suggested by the Applicant.

The Members determined to add further conditions in respect of Off-Sales to promote the Licensing Objectives and these are set out below.

The Members acknowledged the concerns regarding the use of the patio area late at night and agreed with the submissions that this could give rise to public nuisance if mismanaged. The Members found the Applicant’s concession not to use the patio area after 2200hrs (save for smokers etc.) helpful.

The Members listened carefully to the concerns regarding the proposed non-standard timings for Licensable Activities in relation to rugby internationals. The Members took on board the comments of both the Applicant and  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.