Agenda item

The Sub-Committee considered the application for grant of a premises licence in respect of Rocket Ronnies Pool Hall, 55-59 Castle Way, Southampton SO14 2AU.

Mr Keates (Applicant) and Ms Jeffery (Environmental Health Officer) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Sub-Committee considered the decision in confidential session in accordance with the Licensing Act (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

RESOLVED that the application for a premises licence be granted.

After private deliberation the Sub-Committee reconvened and the Chair read out the following decision:-

All parties will receive formal written confirmation of the decision and reasons.

The Sub-Committee has considered very carefully the application for a premises licence at Rocket Ronnies Pool Hall, 55-59 Castle Way, Southampton SO14 2AU.  It has given due regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Objectives, statutory guidance and the adopted statement of Licensing Policy. 

The Sub-Committee considered the representations, both written and given orally today, by all parties. Human rights legislation has been borne in mind whilst making the decision. 

Having considered all the above evidence and after having heard from the parties, the Sub-Committee has determined to grant the Premises Licence as applied for and subject to:

·  the amendment of the application made by the Applicant during the course of the Hearing,

·  the Conditions/Amendment agreed with Hampshire Constabulary, and

·  an additional Condition imposed as a result of the Environmental Health objection.

The additional condition to be imposed shall be as follows:  “The Premises Licence Holder shall ensure that regular checks around the perimeter of the premises shall take place during events and busy periods to ensure that the level of any noise breakout is minimal and not likely to cause a nuisance to neighbours.”

Reasons

The Sub-Committee noted that the residential objections related to noise nuisance and disorder emanating from the premises particularly on dispersal and whilst customers are outside smoking.  Much of the evidence related to historic issues at the premises when it was under different management, at that time the premises had a 24 hour licence.  The Sub-Committee is reassured by the current applicant’s engagement with the Police and Environmental Health and in particular the acceptance of extensive conditions proposed by the Police (including a significant reduction in opening hours and licensable activities as well as conditions relating to CCTV, Incident Book, Refusals Logs, Challenge 25, Training, Door Supervisors, Dispersal, Drinking on the Highway, Signage, Last Entry and Children).  The effect of these conditions is that the premises will close at 23.00 hours Monday to Thursday, 23.30 hours Friday to Saturday and 22.00 hours on Sunday.  In addition the premises shall restrict the number of smokers outside the building after 22.00 hours on any day. 

The applicant amended the application during the course of the hearing to remove live entertainment from the scope of the licence. 

The applicant confirmed that the Smoking Area has been moved to the left side of the building (between George’s Restaurant) and that signage has been placed prohibiting smoking to the front of the building. 

The applicant confirmed that he took over the building on 20 October 2016 and accordingly the Sub-Committee was bound to attach due weight to representations containing evidence pre-dating this.  The Sub-Committee was reassured that outside areas are to be covered by CCTV. 

Local residents can also be reassured that in the event that the grant of the licence does in fact lead to issues of concern, relevant to the licensing objectives, a review may be initiated where evidence of the same can be considered and may result in appropriate steps being taken to address them. 

There is a right of appeal for all parties to the Magistrates’ Court.  Formal notification of the decision will set out that right in full.