Agenda item

Heart Magazines, Sixth Floor, 33 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 0DQ

17/00690/LIPN

1.

Late Night Refreshment – Indoors

Monday to Thursday: 23:00 to 23:30

Friday to Saturday: 23:00 to 00:00

Seasonal Variations/Non-Standard Timings:

None.

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

Decision (including reasons if different from those set out in report):

The Sub-Committee considered an application by The National Magazine Company Ltd for a new premises licence in respect of Hearst Magazines, Sixth Floor, 33 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 0DQ.

The Licensing Officer provided an outline of the application to the Sub-Committee and advised that the Metropolitan Police had withdrawn their representation following the agreement of conditions with the applicant.

Mr Thomas, representing the applicant company, provided an outline of the proposed operation of the premises. The licenced area would be located on the sixth floor of an office building with a capacity for one hundred people. The building was occupied by Heart Magazines who were the publishers for various well-known magazine brands. The application centred on generating brand recognition and development for the magazines through holding events, most of which did not involve the consumption of alcohol. It was proposed to hold some product launches where guests attending would be provided with an alcoholic drink without charge, and such launches would not require a licence at all. For attendance at certain events the pre-purchasing of a ticket would be required and this would entitle the ticket holder to an alcoholic drink and some food. It was these events which would require a licence and it was confirmed no cash bar would be in operation. The premises would not hold events such as weddings or birthdays as the venue was located in an office building and would be utilised for brand development only.

Ms Edwards, representing the applicant company, explained that each magazine brand held approximately four events per month. Most events were ticketed which would entitle a guest to one glass of wine. It was confirmed that the one initial glass of wine was usually the only alcohol offer available and during the events there would be no other opportunity for its consumption.

In response to a question Mr Hawes, representing the applicant company, confirmed that previous events had been held at external sites. The application had been made as hosting the events internally was considered more cost effective.

Mr Thomas recognised that the premises was located in a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and to provide reassurance the application would not add to the cumulative impact in the area a condition would be accepted making the licence specific to Hearst Magazines. The type of events held would cater for staff of Hearst Magazines and guests attending a ticketed, pre-booked event. Alcohol would be available on entry to the event and the applicants would run most of the events held. It was envisaged a magazine brand would be able to use the venue to hold an event but the applicant would at all times manage the venue through their entertainment managers to oversee any events. The applicant was willing to accept a limit to the number of events held to ensure it did not add to the cumulative impact in the area. Mr Thomas explained that there was no scenario where the use of a cash bar for the sale of alcohol would be in use and it was not the intention of the application to operate one.

The Sub-Committee expressed concern over proposed condition 10a) and that it might be a source of confusion regarding how many bona fide guests would be able to attend events held at the premises. Mr Thomas confirmed that the applicant could remove this element of the condition to provide reassurances to the Sub-Committee about the nature of the operation.

Mr Sycamore, representing the Licensing Authority, acknowledged that the applicant had detailed the type of event to be held at the premises but expressed concern that the application was quite relaxed considering it was located in a CIA. It was also considered that it had the potential for broader events than those stated to take place at the venue. For example, in the run up to Christmas a party could be held at the venue seven days a week following which one hundred guests would disperse into the local area adding to the cumulative impact in a CIA. In response to a question about the capacity of the venue from Mr Sycamore Mr Hawes confirmed that building control had imposed a capacity of one hundred people on the venue.

Mr Thomas confirmed that the applicant was happy for the licence to be specific to Hearst Magazines and the Sub-Committee could decide to impose a limit on the number of events held each year if it felt this was necessary.

The Sub-Committee questioned if a servicing condition would be required if events were now to be held at the venue. Mr Thomas explained that due to the limited number of events held and the fact the building was already serviced regularly a further servicing condition would not be required.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered the application and did express concern about the nature of the operation and the fact it was located in a CIA. It was recognised however that the hours applied for were within the core hours policy. In order to approve the application the Sub-Committee had to be satisfied that appropriate conditions could be attached to the licence to ensure it upheld the licensing objectives and did not add to the cumulative impact in the area. The Sub-Committee was of the opinion that conditions which required the supply of alcohol to be by waiter/waitress service only and prohibiting the use of a cash bar for the sale of alcohol would restrict what types of event could be held at the venue whilst not interfering with the current type of events held. To provide further reassurance a condition ensuring the licence was specific to Hearst Magazines would be imposed to ensure it could not be utilised by another operator at a later date without that operator seeking a variation of the licence. The Sub-Committee considered that the addition of a condition requiring a list of persons attending a pre-booked event to be held at the premises and imposing a maximum capacity of one hundred people at the premises would also ensure the application did not add to the cumulative impact in the area. The Sub-Committee was of the opinion that the nature of the conditions imposed were therefore sufficient not to limit the number of events held, would ensure the licensing objectives were promoted and would ensure the application did not add to the cumulative impact in the area. The Sub-Committee therefore granted the application accordingly.

The following conditions were amended or added to the licence:

• The number of persons permitted in the premises at any one time (excluding staff) shall not exceed 100 persons or such lesser number imposed on the safety certificate or by other statutory regulations.

·         The licensable activities authorised by this licence and provided at the premises shall be ancillary to the main function of the building as the offices of Hearst Magazines.

·         Alcohol shall not be sold or supplied otherwise than to:

a)           Directors, partners, agents, officers and employees of the Licensee (and subsidiaries and affiliated companies thereof);

b)           Persons attending by prior invitation to a private or pre-booked event or demonstration at the premises a list of whom is to be kept at reception and made available at the premises for inspection by the Police or an authorised officer of the City Council at all times whilst the premises is open.

·         No advertising of the licensed facilities outside of the premises.

·         Patrons permitted to temporarily leave and then re-enter the premises, e.g. to smoke, shall not be permitted to take drinks or glass containers with them.

·         When the premises licence is in use, notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.

·         In respect of bottles and waste arising from the use of the premises under this licence, no waste or recyclable materials, including bottles, shall be moved, removed from or placed in outside areas between 23.00 hours and 08.00 hours on the following day.

·         There shall be no events organised by an external premotor at the premises.

·         A record shall be kept detailing all refused sales of alcohol. The record should include the date and time of the refused sale and the name of the member of staff who refused the sale. The record shall be available for inspection at the premises by the Police or an authorised officer of the City Council at all times whilst the premises is open.

·         There shall be no cash bar operating at the premises.

·         The supply of alcohol shall be waiter or waitress service only.

2.

On Sale by Retail of Alcohol

Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:30

Friday to Saturday: 10:00 to 00:00

Sunday: 12:00 to 22:30

Seasonal Variations/Non-Standard Timings:

None.

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

Decision (including reasons if different from those set out in report):

The application was granted, the reason for the decision is detailed in section 1.

3.

Hours Premises are Open to the Public

The premises are corporate premises and staff may be present at any time.

Monday to Sunday: 00:00 to 00:00

Seasonal Variations/Non-Standard Timings:

None

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

Decision (including reasons if different from those set out in report):

The application was granted, the reason for the decision is detailed in section 1.