Agenda and draft minutes

Le Deli Robuchon, 82 Piccadilly, London, W1J 8JA (“The Premises”)

19/06274/LIPN

1.

Sale by retail of alcohol [on and off sales]

On and off sales:

Monday to Saturday: 08:00 to 20:00

Sunday: 08:00 to 18:00

Seasonal variations/non-standard timings: From the end of the permitted hours on New Year’s Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year’s Day.

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

Saba Naqshbandi (Counsel, representing the Applicant Company) introduced the application for a new premises licence and informed the Sub-Committee that the Applicant Company had sought pre-application advice. The application did not propose late hours and the premises would operate as a delicatessen. The Applicant Company also operated another delicatessen in Paris. At this point, Saba Naqshbandi invited Adrian Braimer Jones (Director, Applicant Company) to describe the proposed operation of the premises to the Sub-Committee.

Adrian Braimer Jones stated that the intention of the proposals was to help continue the legacy of the French chef and restauranteur, Joel Robuchon, who had passed away recently. The premises would offer a French concept to eating and would offer French food products. The premises would offer an informal eating setting and takeaway would also be available. The food on offer would include pastries, sandwiches, cheese and meat planches, salads and desserts. Adrian Braimer Jones added that currently there was no other such premises that existed in the area.

Saba Naqshbandi then addressed the Sub-Committee again and stated that the Applicant Company had engaged extensively with local residents, with a number of emails exchanged. The Applicant Company had recently met with two local residents where there had been positive dialogue. There was agreement between the Applicant Company, Environmental Health and residents on a number of proposed conditions. However, in respect of proposed condition 33 in the report from residents suggesting that vehicles shall not be allowed to wait in the street for patrons with their engines left on, Saba Naqshbandi suggested an alternative wording by prefacing this with the words that “The licence holder shall use their best endeavours to ensure that….” .

Turning to condition 34, requesting that there be no outside tables and chairs, she stated that there was no current intention for this and in any case planning permission would also be required and so it was not felt that this condition was necessary. Condition 35 stating that all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Genuine Liquorette, 6 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1HL (“The Premises”)

19/05966/LIPN

1.

Sale by Retail of Alcohol [On and Off sales]

Monday to Tuesday: 12:00 to 23:30

Wednesday to Thursday: 12:00 to 00:30

Friday and Saturday: 12:00 to 01:00

Sunday: 12:00 to 22:00

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

This was a new application for a premises licence in respect of a premises that would trade as a cocktail bar in the West End cumulative impact area (CIA). There was an existing licence for these premises that would be surrendered if the application was granted and a key question arising was whether the new application could be granted as an exception to the licensing policy. It was noted that the application involved an overall reduction in the hours for the sale of alcohol but an increase in the hours for the sale of alcohol in the evening and an increase in the hours for late night refreshment.

Gary Grant (Counsel, representing the Applicant Company) began by referring to the photographs of the premises contained in the late representations circulated. He advised that the premises operated as a craft cocktail bar offering an immersive experience for customers who could if they so wish participate in creating their own cocktails, assisted by expert cocktail makers. Mr Grant stated that the only other premises that operated in a similar way was the Applicant Company’s branch that had operated in Manhattan, New York which, due to licensing changes in that city, had resulted in its closure, meaning that the London branch was the only one that was currently in operation.

Mr Grant confirmed that, following the amendment of the application, the proposals were to extend the terminal hour for licensable activities (and closure of the premises) by one hour from Wednesday to Saturday. Gary Grant acknowledged that the premises was within a cumulative impact area (CIA), however it was right at the edge of it and not at the heart of the problems experienced in this area. The customer base included both those from local businesses and local residents. There was customer demand for an extension of terminal hours as highlighted by those making representations in support of the application. This included comments made by one supporter that she often had to head towards Soho for a final drink with her friends because Genuine Liquorette was required to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

SAID, 29 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JG (“The Premises”)

19/05826/LIPN

1.

Sale by Retail of Alcohol [On and Off sales]

Monday to Saturday: 10:00 to 22:30

Sunday: 10:00 to 22:00

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

Kevin Jackaman (Presenting Officer) advised the Sub-Committee that the Applicant Company had agreed a condition with the Police that had been circulated before the meeting that stated that “All off sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises shall be in sealed containers, and shall not be consumed on the premises, save for any such sales to any dedicated tables and chairs area immediately outside and adjacent to the premises.” The Sub-Committee were also informed that the local resident who had made a representation was not present at the hearing, nor had he indicated his intention to do so or otherwise.

Jeremy Bark (Solicitor, representing the Applicant Company) then addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that the premises operated as a high quality chocolatier offering Italian chocolate products manufactured in Rome. Seasonal brands, such as Easter eggs, would also be available at appropriate times, and also other products such as hot chocolate were offered. The Applicant Company also operated another similar premises in Broadwick Street. Jeremy Bark advised that the Applicant Company wished to enhance the customer offer by offering alcoholic products, including a chocolate liqueur made in Rome and other alcoholic drinks that complemented the various chocolates on offer. The experience would involve a ‘tasting menu’ to help customers determine what drinks went well with certain chocolates. Jeremy Bark advised that the premises was already in operation and local residents frequently visited the premises. The hours applied for the sale of alcohol were modest and were within core hours Monday to Saturday. Jeremy Bark acknowledged that the commencement hour for the sale of alcohol on Sunday was slightly earlier than core hours, however there were other premises within the vicinity that also commenced sale of alcohol before core hours.

Jeremy Bark advised that the Applicant Company had written to the local resident who had made a representation and would be happy to meet with him, however there had been not been much by way of response from the resident since. The Sub-Committee heard that the premises currently employed 12 staff, with around 3 to 5 on duty at any time. There was also a dedicated entrance for deliveries and the Council was contracted to collect waste.

The Sub-Committee sought confirmation that the Applicant Company was in agreement with the condition proposed by the Police with regard to off sales of alcohol. On behalf of the Applicant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Gaza Café, Basement and Ground Floor (“The Premises”)

19/06212/LIPN

1.

Sale by Retail of Alcohol [On sales only]

Monday to Saturday: 12:00 to 23:00

Sunday: 12:00 to 22:30

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

The Sub-Committee agreed to hear the application in the Applicant Company’s absence.

This was an application for a new premises licence in respect of a premises that intends to trade as a café. It has applied to sell alcohol for consumption on those premises until 23.00 hours (22.00 on a Sunday). The applicant company has agreed most of the conditions that have been proposed by Environmental Health; it has agreed to withdraw the application for recorded music; and it has accepted that the sale of alcohol for consumption o the premises must be ancillary to some kind of food provision.  

Sally Fabbricatore (Environmental Health) addressed the Sub-Committee and confirmed that she had undertaken a site visit to the premises, although the Applicant Company was not present at the time. She had sought confirmation on how the Applicant Company wished to operate and whether substantial food would be provided. Some products offered, such as rice burgers, were in her view substantial, however others, such as snacks, were not. Sally Fabbricatore confirmed that the Applicant Company had agreed to all the conditions that she had requested in respect of public nuisance and a capacity limit. However, she was maintaining her representation because further clarification was needed from the Applicant Company to explain how they would adhere to the conditions and in particular to the model restaurant condition MC66. Sally Fabbricatore added that an email from the Applicant Company had appeared to confirm that they intended to operate as a restaurant, hence her request for MC66. The Applicant Company was also to advise her as to when they would operate as a licensable restaurant.

PC Bryan Lewis (Metropolitan Police) advised that he was awaiting the Applicant Company’s agreement of the conditions he had requested and so was maintaining his representation.

Karyn Abbot (Licensing Authority) informed the Sub-Committee that she had undertaken a site visit of the premises, however she had not spoken to the Applicant Company during the visit. The application was within core hours and the Applicant Company had agreed the model restaurant condition MC66. Karyn Abbot advised that the application for recorded music had been withdrawn as it was not necessary to apply for this where recorded music would cease by 23:00.

The Sub-Committee noted that the premises will continue to operate as a café until the premises licence had been received and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.