Resolved – That Councillor L Reecejones 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 Assistant Chief Executive reported upon an application that had been received from James Demetrios to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Paradox, 1-3 Pensby Road, Heswall, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were 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 a local resident and from an individual who owns the property adjacent to the premises.  The representations related to concerns of noise from entertainment coming from the premises and anti-social behaviour caused by customers of the Paradox which was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  Copies of all representations were available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with his representative Ms Hussein.

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

Ms Hussein advised Members that Mr Demetrios had 43 years experience in this type of business and explained how the premises would be managed to ensure the promotion of the Licensing Objectives.  Details were provided in respect of the number of staff employed at the premises and the capacity figures which had been sought from the Fire Authority.  Ms Hussein explained that the applicant had liaised with Merseyside Police to amend a condition currently attached to the Premises Licence in relation to Door Supervisors which would result in an increased level of supervision should the application be granted.  Ms Hussein advised that the applicant had invested a lot of money into the premises, that he was a responsible Premises Licence Holder who wanted to operate on a level playing field and requested that the application be granted.  Members were further advised that no complaints had been made directly to the premises regarding the operation of the premises.

The applicant and his representative responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee and Mr A Bayatti, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

In response to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, the applicant refuted claims that customers of the premises cause nuisance to local residents by engaging in disorderly behaviour, littering and urinating in gardens.  

In determining the application the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee had regard to the Licensing Objectives, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Statutory Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Members considered the written representations made by a local resident and from an individual who owns the property adjacent to the premises opposing the application. In coming to their decision Members had regard to the absence of direct evidence that the premises were currently operating in a way that was undermining the licensing objectives.

In determining the application, Members had regard to the fact that Merseyside Police were content with the application subject  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.