Agenda item

Determination of application following relevant representations.

The Sub-Committee comprised of Councillor Mel Guilding (Chairman), Councillor Merv Evans and Councillor Kevin Frea.

An application for a pavement licence had been made under the Business and Planning Act 2020 by Mr Jordan Dalzell in relation to Hogarths, 9 George Street, Lancaster.

The hearing was held in light of a relevant objection received. The hearing was held virtually.

The Legal Adviser was Mr Tom Mitchell, Solicitor.

The Democratic Services Officer was the Head of Democratic Services, Ms Debbie Chambers.

Mr Dalzell was not able to link online to speak at the start of the virtual meeting, however Ms Diana Freeman was present representing Amber Taverns Ltd, the management company.

Mr Andre Hunt, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Lancaster City Council, had made a relevant objection and Mr Hunt was also present at the hearing.

The Chair explained the procedure to those present, and stated that the hearing would be a discussion led by the licensing authority.

Parties present introduced themselves.

The Licensing Officer, Ms Karen Hodgson, introduced the report. 

Mr Hunt presented his objections which, in particular related to customers queuing to enter the venue and filling out the pavement. Pedestrians were unable to walk past and social distancing was not always maintained. He provided a photograph illustrating the queuing patrons outside the doorway, who had gathered into a circle. Mr Hunt felt that the addition of tables and chairs to this arrangement would make social distancing even more difficult. In addition, the venue was across the street from the police station, and police vehicles were regularly parked outside the venue for ease of access for officers.

At this point, it became clear that Mr Dalzell did not have full access to the meeting to respond to the objections raised. The Chair adjourned the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 2.16pm, and then again at 2.20pm, to allow time for the technical difficulties to be resolved so that Mr Dalzell could address the meeting. The meeting re-convened at 2.25pm with Mr Dalzell joining via telephone link.

Mr Hunt recapped his objections for the benefit of Mr Dalzell who then responded. He explained that the owners of the building next door, Co-operative Funeral Services, had given permission to allow patrons of Hogarths to queue in front of their own premises, which would not interfere with the space where Hogarths planned to put their tables and chairs. Ms Freeman also said that the brewery had screens which could be put up between tables. The screens were light enough to move but sturdy enough to withstand the weather. Also, ropes and barriers were available to channel and contain the queuing.

Both parties summed up before the Sub-Committee withdrew to make its decision. The applicant was notified that he would be informed of the decision that same day.

DECISION

The Sub-Committee carefully considered all the written information before it, and the representations and views expressed at the hearing by Mr Hunt and Mr Dalzell.

The concerns from Mr Hunt around queues, social distancing and the parking of police vehicles were considered. It was noted that the police had not made any representations objecting to the application.

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant had made arrangements for the queuing system to be re-routed away from the site of the tables and chairs and that the plan showed that there appeared to be sufficient space to observe social distancing with the seating area in place.

In light of the above, the Sub-Committee agreed that the licence be approved, subject to the condition that queuing at the entrance of the venue be in the direction of the Co-operative building next door, as proposed by the applicant, in a westerly direction towards King Street.