Resolved – That Councillor S Niblock be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Sub-Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Sub-Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Home Merseyside Limited to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Home, 62 Christchurch Road, Birkenhead, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The variation requested was outlined within the report.

The applicant had submitted an operating schedule setting out how the business would be conducted/managed in accordance with the four licensing objectives.  A copy of the full application was available.  Members were advised that the proposals set out in the operating schedule may become conditions of the licence should the licence be granted.

Representations had been received from seven local residents.  The representations related to noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour caused by customers at other licensed premises within the vicinity of these premises which was currently a problem and concerns that these problems would be exacerbated should the application be granted.  Copies of the representations were available.

The applicants and a number of local residents attended the meeting.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received.

One of the local residents requested to submit google photographs to demonstrate the location of local residents.  There were no objections to the photographs being submitted and therefore they were considered by Members of the Sub-Committee.

The applicants addressed the Sub-Committee and reported that the business had operated at these premises for the last seven years and that a Premises Licence had been granted three years ago with the provision to sell alcohol until 5.00 pm.  They advised Members that they were responsible licence holders and had a good relationship with other businesses in the vicinity.  The applicants explained that they currently ran a coffee shop and served food and advised Members that alcohol was a small percentage of their sales.  Members were also advised that the applicants did not intend to change the nature of the business should the application be granted.  The applicants advised Members that alcohol would be sold at the tables and they did not intend to have a bar area for diners waiting to be served in the restaurant area.  Members were informed that the basement would be used for patrons waiting to be seated in the restaurant area.  They also advised that a small courtyard was situated at the rear of the premises which could seat about twenty people and that they proposed that this be open until about 10.00 pm from May to September.  Members were informed that should the application be granted, the applicants intended to trial running the business with the new hours for three days per week.  The applicants also confirmed that they were not looking to take large group or party bookings at the premises.

The applicants responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee and local residents.

Mr Lennon, local resident, expressed concerns that should the application be granted, this would add to the current problems experienced by local residents from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

This application had been withdrawn prior to the hearing.