Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

There were no declarations of interest received at the commencement or during the course of the meeting.

The Chair opened the meeting and introductions were made.

            The Legal Advisor to the Sub Committee outlined the procedure for the meeting and reported that Members had previously familiarised themselves with the report of the Licensing Manager, the premises application and supporting documentation, together with the written representations of Responsible Authorities in relation to the application.

Mr Lee Morgan (Licensing Manager) presented the report and outlined the application submitted by Enterbizz Limited on behalf of Blisters Bargoed, 63/65 Hanbury Road, Bargoed, CF81 8QX, to vary the current premises licence as follows :-

·         To extend hours for regulated entertainment from 03.30 to 04.15 (first floor only) on Friday and Saturday, Sundays preceding Bank Holiday, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day;

·         To extend hours of opening from 04.00 to 04.30 on  Friday and Saturday, Sundays preceding Bank Holiday, Christmas Eve and Boxing Day;

·         No change to hours for the sale of alcohol;

·         Closure of the smoking area and regulated entertainment to finish on the second floor and close to public at 03.30;

·         Change of floor plan (as shown on the proposed premises plans reproduced as Appendix 2 of the report);

·         Extra cooling down period 04.00 to 04.30 – only to be used if more than 80 customers are still in the venue/premises

·         Admission times kept the same – no entry or re-entry after 00.30;

·         Entertainment on the second floor to be kept the same, terminating at 03.30;

·         To remove a number of conditions in Annex 2 of the existing premises licence;

·         To remove all embedded conditions (old Public Entertainment conditions) within the operating schedule (as set out in Appendix 12 of the report);

·         To add a number of conditions as set out in Section 1.1(a) of the Licensing Officer’s report.

The Sub Committee were referred to the representations received from Responsible Authorities, namely Child Protection, Gwent Police, the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health.  Trading Standards had also made a representation, but following mediation with the applicant, agreement had been reached relating to the proof of age scheme.  The concerns mainly related to the proposed extension to licensable hours and the effect this could have on the surrounding area.  Copies of the representations were attached to the report that was circulated with the agenda. 

Attention was drawn to the local policy considerations and national guidance as set out in the report and to the way in which the Sub Committee would deal with the application.  The Sub Committee must have regard to all the representations made and to the evidence heard, and take such steps as is considered necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives.  Members were directed to the recommendation set out in the Licensing Manager’s report, which recommended the refusal of the variation to extend the provision for live and recorded music, performance of dance and anything of a similar nature, together with the refusal of the request to remove the condition relating to the ceasing of entertainment and refreshment 30 minutes before premises close.  However, the recommendation advocated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.