Agenda item

To consider an application for a new Premises Licence in respect of the Serene Lounge at 63 Alderminster Road, Mount Nod, Coventry, CV5 7JT.

Note: The applicant and their representative have been invited to attend the

  hearing.

  Persons who have made representations have been invited to attend.

The City Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy is available on the Council’s website. Alternatively, please contact us if you require a hard copy.

The Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee considered a new Premises License in respect of The Serene Lounge at 63 Alderminster Road, Mount Nod, Coventry, CV5 7JT.

Ms Bassi provided the licensing officer’s statement, setting out the application and steps taken to achieve mediation. The application had been submitted by the Applicant for a premises licence at the Serene Lounge. The application sought to add the sale of wine, bottled beers and ciders to an existing change of use coffee shop, known as the Serene Lounge.

After consultation with the police the Applicant agreed to revise the timings for the sale of alcohol. The agreed revised hours were Monday to Saturday 1200 to 2100 hours. Sunday 1200 – 1600 hours.

There were no other objections raised by any of the other statutory consultees.

The Applicant then addressed the hearing and explained his rationale in seeking to provide a meeting place for the benefit of the local population. He accepted that he used social media as a marketing/ research tool.

The Applicant refuted that there would be any noise issues and confirmed that there would be no external drinking. Councillor Lancaster later indicated that the smoking area would be to the rear of the property.

The Applicant also indicated that parking would not be a problem and had provided photographs taken over a period of days showing space in the area outside the premises.

He added that he had invited the residents (via Mr Coulson) to a mediation but that the opportunity had been refused by Mr Coulson. He did however state that Licensing had arranged a subsequent mediation but no tangible agreement had been reached at it.

Councillor Male then addressed the hearing on behalf of the 23 objectors. He suggested that while there was no obvious attempt to mislead the residents in the alteration of a coffee shop into a bar, the proposed venue would be a bar and no longer the originally envisaged coffee shop.

Councillor Male suggested that in granting the licence there was potentially a dangerous precedent being set and other premises may follow suit.

He went on to raise issues surrounding parking, particularly with the advent of a new takeaway being opened next to the Serene Lounge in due course. Equally he stated that taxis collecting patrons could cause diesel pollution.

The issue of whether the blue application notice had been properly displayed was aired and Ms Masih confirmed that it had been in place at the relevant times and in a place and position where is could be read. Mr Coulson indicated that he had not seen it but once he became aware of the application he did write to the local residents.

Some questions followed each presentation from the Sub-committee Members. One called for an interpretation of the legal definition of ‘ancillary’ which was covered by the lawyer, as were the sanctions which could be applied against the licence/ Applicant in the event of any breaches for ASB etc.

The parties then summed up their respective positions and the Members withdrew to consider the application.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Sub-committee, having heard all of the evidence from the parties, and having reviewed all of the papers provided in advance of the hearing, have unanimously decided to grant the application, but subject to the following additional conditions:

1. The schedule will reflect the times agreed with the police.
2. There are to be no tables or chairs placed on the pavement outside until authorisation/ clarification has been granted by the Highways department of Coventry City Council.
3. Signage is to be displayed at the access and egress points that patrons must leave the premises quietly.
4. Separate signage is to clearly indicate that no alcoholic drinks may be taken outside of the premises.
5. There are to be no off sales of alcohol at any time.