Agenda and draft minutes

Buns and Buns, Unit 5C The Market, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RA (“The Premises”)

19/04945/LIPN

1.

Sale by Retail of Alcohol – On and Off Sales

Monday to Sunday: 10:00 to 01:00

Seasonal Variations / Non-Standard Timings:

All licensable activities shall be extended from the end of permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day.

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

The Sub-Committee was advised by the applicant that the proposed Sunday hours for the sale by retail of alcohol had been reduced to between 10:00 to 00:00.

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

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Cgunit1 Ltd (“The Applicant”) for a new premises licence in respect of Buns and Buns, Unit 5C The Market, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RA.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application and confirmed that the applicant had reduced the proposed hours for licensable activities on Sundays to a terminal hour of 00:00 with the Sunday closing time also reduced to 00:30 hours.

Mr Grant, representing the applicant, explained that the ethos of the Premises was to provide fine/casual dining in relaxed surroundings. Customers would be served relatively quickly but with food of a very high standard. The Premises had been operating in Covent Garden since September 2018 and the Sub-Committee was advised that during this period it had established a very good reputation. The application had been submitted in order to capture some of the post-theatre crowd which were currently having to be turned away due to the Premises current closing hour. It was recognised that the Premises was located in a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), but it was suggested that the proposals would not attract further people into the area and was just seeking to cater for those already within the locality. The application would simply provide a more diverse offer to those people seeking something to eat following a theatre performance. The Sub-Committee was advised that the Premises was operated by a very experienced management team.

Mr Grant advised that the Premises was located over two floors. The ground floor element was based in the piazza area of Covent Garden and had a retractable roof for when the weather was inclement. Under the current licence the basement area was permitted a standalone bar to operate to 20:30 hours for a maximum of 15 people. The application before the Sub-Committee proposed to remove this drink-led element from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Zebrano, 18 Greek Street, London, W1D 4DS (“The Premises”)

19/03852/LIPV

1.

Layout Alteration

Introduction of a terrace at the rear of the premises building as shown on the plans appended to the application.

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Zebrano Bars & Clubs Ltd for a variation of a premises licence in respect of Zebrano, 18 Greek Street, London, W1D 4DS.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application and confirmed that Environmental Health and the Police had withdrawn their representations following the agreement of conditions with the applicant.

Mr Spiegler, representing the applicant, explained that the application was seeking authorisation to change the layout of the Premises. The variation to the licence would not amend any of the licensable activities currently permitted or the current capacity limit at the Premises. The proposed new layout would introduce a new upper terrace at the rear of the Premises on the first floor with a maximum capacity of 20 persons. This would be in addition to the current lower terrace situated on the upper ground floor which had a maximum capacity of 30 persons. The overall capacity of the Premises would remain at 211 persons. As part of this proposal a terrace management plan would be implemented to ensure there was adequate control over the area. The key objectives of the new layout were to provide customers with an attractive alfresco area and secondly to reduce the pressure of street smoking in the local area. Greek Street was a busy location with many late-night licensed premises and this application would ease pressure on this area as smokers at the Premises would now be able to use the terrace instead. The terrace was not overlooked by any residential properties and therefore the Sub-Committee was advised that the application would reduce cumulative impact in the local area. As part of the proposals a welfare room would also be introduced which could be used by customers in need of assistance and also be available for use by the Soho Angels.

The Sub-Committee was advised by Mr Spiegler that Environmental Health and the Police had withdrawn their representations following the agreement of conditions with the applicant. It was noted that the Police had requested a slight change to the proposed terrace management plan which would require SIA supervisors to wear high visibility clothing and the applicant was content to amend it accordingly. The Licensing Authority had maintained their representation on policy grounds as the Premises was located within a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and therefore policy PB2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.