To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meetings held on 12 November 2024 and 21 November 2024.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 12 November 2024 and 21 November 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of the Milestone Centre, Northbrook Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6PF.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of the Milestone Centre, Northbrook Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6PF. The application had been submitted by Caversham Park Village Social Club Limited.

The report stated that there was currently a Club Premises Certificate in force at the premises (LP5000007 refers), a copy of which was attached to the report at Appendix MH-1. The current Club Premises Certificate authorised the following licensable activities and hours:

Playing of Recorded Music:

Friday from 2000hrs to 0030hrs

Provision of Indoor Sporting Events

Friday from 2000hrs to 0030hrs

Supply of Alcohol for Members & Guests

Monday to Thursday & Saturday from 1000hrs to 2300hrs

Friday from 1000hrs to 0030hrs

Sunday from 1200hrs to 2230hrs

The report stated that the premises was located within a cluster of three buildings and a play park. The two other buildings in the cluster site comprised of indoor squash courts and a mixed-use building, neither of which formed part of the premises licence application.

The report stated that the application had been received on 10 October 2024. A copy of the application form was attached to the report at Appendix MH-2. The application sought the grant of a premise licence to authorise the following licensable activities and hours:

Provision of Regulated Entertainment (Films – Indoor Sporting Events – Live Music – Recorded Music – Anything Similar to Live Music, Recorded Music or Performance of Dance):

Sunday to Thursday from 0800hrs to 0000hrs

Friday to Saturday from 0800hrs to 0100hrs

New Years’ Eve from 0800hrs to 0200hrs

Provision of Late Night Refreshment:

Sunday to Thursday from 2300hrs to 0000hrs

Friday to Saturday from 2300hrs to 0100hrs

New Years’ Eve from 2300hrs to 0200hrs

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On & Off Sales):

Sunday to Thursday from 0800hrs to 2330hrs

Friday to Saturday from 0800hrs to 0030hrs

New Years’ Eve from 0800hrs to 0130hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Sunday to Thursday from 0800hrs to 0000hrs

Friday to Saturday from 0800hrs to 0100hrs

New Years’ Eve from 0800hrs to 0200hrs 

The report explained that the application had been submitted following consultation with the Council’s Licensing Team during which process the club committee had explained a desire to hire out the premises for events to non-members without having to apply for Temporary Event Notices. Furthermore, the committee wished to admit customers to the premises without them having to be a member of the club or be a guest of a member. Memberships would however still be available. A copy of the conditions agreed between the Licensing Team, Thames Valley Police and the Applicant was attached to the report at Appendix MH-3. 

The report stated that during the 28-day consultation period valid representations had been received from seven local residents. Copies of the seven representations were attached to the report at appendices MH-4 to MH-10.

Ten further representations had also been received. These were not considered to be relevant to any of the four licensing objectives.  However,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To consider an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Cosy Club, Unit L30, Oracle Shopping Centre, Minster Street, Reading, RG1 2AQ.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Cosy Club, Unit L30, Oracle Shopping Centre, Minster Street, Reading, RG1 2AQ. The application had been submitted by Loungers UK Ltd on 11 October 2024. A copy of the application was attached to the report at Appendix TS-1.

The report stated that the premises (Unit L30, Oracle Shopping Centre) was currently vacant, had previously been occupied by a retail store and did not have a premises licence in force. The report stated that, as of May 2024, Loungers UK Ltd operated 262 sites in England and Wales across three brands; Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside. It was intended that Cosy Club would operate as a food led café bar.

The application sought the grant of a premise licence to authorise the following licensable activities and hours:

Provision of live music (Live amplified and unamplified music.)

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs until 0200hrs

Provision of recorded music

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs until 0200hrs

Provision of anything of a similar description to live music, recorded music or performances of dance

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs until 0200hrs

Late Night Refreshment

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs until 0200hrs

Supply of alcohol

Monday to Sunday from 1000hrs until 0200hrs

Hours Premises is open to the public

Monday to Sunday from 0800hrs until 0230hrs

The application also sought authorisation for the premises to remain open for the sale of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment from the terminal hour for those activities on New Year's Eve through to the commencement time for those activities on New Year's Day.

During, the 28-day consultation period for the application representations against the application had been received from:

·       Peter Narancic, Senior Licensing & Enforcement Officer - responding on behalf of Reading Borough Council (RBC) in its capacity as a Responsible Authority;

·       Rebecca Moon, Principal Environmental Health Officer, responding on behalf of RBC  in its capacity as a Responsible Authority (copy attached at Appendix TS-3); and

·       Laura Grantham, Sales Manager, Premier Suites Reading, responding as an interested party (copy attached at Appendix TS-4).

The report explained that the representation submitted by the Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer had been withdrawn after conditions had been agreed between the Council’s Licensing Team and the Applicant’s solicitor. A copy of agreed conditions was attached to the report at Appendix TS-2. 

The report stated that in determining the application the Licensing Authority had a duty to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives, as follows:

·       The prevention of crime and disorder;

·       Public safety;

·       The prevention of public nuisance;

·       The protection of children from harm.

The report stated that any decision made in relation to the Premises Licence should be appropriate and proportionate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority could amend, alter, or refuse an application should it be deemed appropriate for the promotion of the licensing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.