Agenda and minutes

Councillor Deborah Roberts was appointed as Chair.

The Chairman will introduce the members of the Sub-Committee and the officers in attendance at the meeting.

A copy of the Licensing (2003 Act) Committee procedure is attached.

Councillor Deborah Roberts informed the sub-committee and hearing attendees that she had participated in sub-committees to consider a previous licensing application from this applicant. Councillor Deborah Roberts confirmed that she would be considering this matter afresh as it was a new application.

Cllr Jose Hales declared a non-pecuniary interest as a director of the Melbourn Hub.

The application

On 25 October 2021, an application for the variation of a premises licence for LJs Sandwich Bar & Barista, 40 Church Street, Gamlingay, SG19 3JH was submitted to the Licensing Authority, advertised and consulted upon.

Requested activities

The proposed application is to carry out the following activities:

Background

The premises, known as LJ’s Sandwich Bar & Barista could be found on Church Street in Gamlingay.

1.    The application was advertised in the Cambridge News on 2 November 2021, and the site notice displayed on the premises as required.

2.    Cambridge Fire and Rescue Service had no objection to the application but requested that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment be conducted and documented of the premises under the Fire Safety Order, to help identify fire hazards and the measures and arrangements required to safeguard all relevant persons on the premises. The fire risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person with relevant knowledge, skills and experience of fire safety matters.

3.    Environmental Health requested that the following condition be imposed on any licence that may be granted “Alcohol shall only be permitted in the external areas of the premises until 21:00 Sunday to Thursday and until 22:30 Fridays, Saturdays, Bank Holidays and Valentine’s Day”. The applicant had confirmed acceptance of thiscondition.

4.    There were no responses from other Responsible Authorities.

Relevant representations

Representations were received from Gamlingay Parish Council and four local residents. One resident submitted sound clips as part of the representation, and these were emailed to the applicant. The applicant submitted sound clips from a neighbouring party from 2019 in response.                              

Observations:

The main concerns highlighted for the application were with regards to smell and sound nuisances.

The applicant had decided to try to vary the hours of operation because with the global pandemic had affected business significantly as they could only have a certain number of people inside. The applicant stated that they were struggling to get sufficient turnover.

It was explained that the premises was not licenced to sell alcohol on certain days, hindering the business on Bank Holidays and celebrations that would fall on a Thursday or Friday.

It was explained that the applicant had purchased a new recirculating extractor fan after a meeting with residents but that they were required to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.