Issue - meetings

Having considered the application by Brent Police Licensing Unit to Review the Premises Licence for ‘Dicey Reillys’ (295 Neasden Lane, London, NW10 1QR) (“the premises”) pursuant to the Licensing Act 2003 resolved that the premises licence continue in force subject to the following additional conditions or amendments and replacements to existing conditions.

that the following conditions be added to the licence:-

1.       The premises shall operate only as a Cabaret / Comedy / Live Entertainments venue and alcohol may only be served to customers present at the premises to attend such a performance.  Live bands and solo musicians may not perform on the premises unless 14 days written notice is provided to the police licensing officer and the police licensing officer have given his/her prior written approval for the performance to take place. 

2.       All customers shall be seated at tables and alcohol shall be provided by waiter/waitress service only.

3.       Only performers are permitted to dance at the premises, not customers. Any facilities for dancing must be limited to those for use by performers.

4.       Background music may be played, but any other music may only be played for the purposes of a performance.

5.       A written dress code policy for customers shall be employed and strictly adhered to. This policy must be approved in writing by Brent’s police licensing officer and made available for inspection upon the request of any police or licensing authority officer.

6.       Customers must pay an entrance charge on entry to the premises.

7.       No patrons under the age of 21 shall be permitted to enter the premises.

8.       The premises shall operate a strict “Challenge 25” age verification policy.

9.        There shall be a change of Designated Premises Supervisor. The new DPS should be experienced in running licensed premises and his/her details provided to the police licensing officer for prior approval.

10.    The premises must close the public no later than 02:00hrs

11.    All permitted licensable activities must end no later than 01:30hrs.

12.    There shall be no Entry or Re-Entry to the premises after 00.00hrs (midnight) [amends condition 10 of Annex 2]

13.    A minimum of 1 Personal Licence Holder shall be on duty and at the premises at any time when alcohol is sold by retail

14.    Security scanners (ie ClubScan or an equivalent) must be used on entry to the premises.

15.    A minimum of 3 SIA approved door supervisors to be employed at the premises at all times it is open to the public. On occasions when 300 customers or more are present at the premises (or expected to be) then 4 SIA approved door supervisors must be employed. The door supervisors are to remain on duty until at least 30 minutes after the last customer leaves the premises in order to assist with the orderly dispersal of departing customers. A new security company is to be employed and the Police are to provide prior written approval of that company. [replaces condition 2 of Annex 2]

16.  ...  view the full decision text for item 2

Responsible Authority Making a Representation

Gary Grant (Legal Representative of Brent Police)

PC Nick Mortimer (Brent Police) attended in support

PC Nicola McDonald (Brent Police) attended in support

Premises Licence Holder and its’ Representative

Alex Wright (Legal representative of the Premises Licence Holder)

Mr Kelly (Director of Company that hold the premises licence) attended in support

Mr Meesham (Licensing Consultant) attended in support

Alan Howarth (Health Safety and Licensing Manager) introduced the matter and confirmed that the application for a review of the premises licence had been made by Sergeant Adrian Adolphus (Brent Police).  Members noted that the premises licence was presently suspended on an interim basis by this Sub-Committee after considering an expedited review of the licence on 10 February 2010.

Responsible Authority Making a Representation

Gary Grant (Legal Representative of Brent Police) referred to Sergeant Adrian Adolphus’s (Brent Police) written representation which included reporting of a number of violent and other crime and disorder related incidents in connection with the premises.  He advised Members that there had been considerable discussion between Brent Police, their representative and the premises licence holder and their representatives and with the approval of the Chair, copies of suggested additional conditions that had been discussed between both parties was circulated to Members.  He stated that the intention was to transform the nature of the premises and that it was intended that it become a comedy and cabaret club with no facilities for dancing for customers.  It was also felt that changes to the designated premises supervisor and to the name of the premises would mean that it was less likely to attract the clientele such as that which had caused problems in the past. 

Gary Grant then drew Members’ attention to the proposed conditions and suggested amendments to the following conditions:-

Condition 1 – Delete last two sentences and replace with:

“Live bands and solo musicians may not perform on the premises unless 14 days written notice is provided to the police licensing officer and the police licensing officer have given his/her prior approval for the performance to take place.”

Condition 15 – add a sentence to the end of the condition to read:

“A new security company is to be employed and the Police are to provide prior written approval of that company.”  It was felt this addition was necessary as the Police had expressed concern about the conduct of the present door supervisors.

In relation to Condition 23, Gary Grant felt that it was appropriate for the premises licence to remain suspended for a further 28 days after the decision takes effect in 21 days, meaning 49 days in total, as it would allow sufficient time for the premises licence holder to refurbish the premises, train staff and acquire a new designated premises supervisor.  In addition, he suggested that this would also provide a sufficient deterrent to the premises licence holder to not compromise the Council’s licensing objectives and make it clear to the existing clientele that the nature of the premises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2