To consider an application for the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of Raver Tots, Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road, Reading.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the variation of a premises licence in respect of Raver Tots, Prospect Park, Reading. The report explained that the premises was a public park owned by Reading Borough Council and the event was an outdoor music festival which targeted an 18+ demographic on Saturday and a family demographic on Sunday.  The application was to vary the Premises Licence, which was attached to the report at Appendix RS-1, to allow the following licensable activities:

Increase the capacity to 9999 persons.

Add Friday to the event with the following licensable activities:

Provision of Live Music:

From1500hrs until 2200hrs

Provision of Recorded Music:

From1500hrs until 2200hrs

Performances of Dance:

From1500hrs until 2200hrs

Provision of Anything Similar to Live Music, Recorded Music or Dance:

From1500hrs until 2200hrs

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On the Premises):

From1500hrs until 2200hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

From 1500hrs until 2200hrs

A copy of the Application to Vary the Premises Licence Form was attached to the report at Appendix RS-2.

A copy of the agreed conditions between Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team, Thames Valley Police and the Applicant were attached to the report at Appendix RS-3.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application three representations from local residents had been received by Reading Borough Council (RBC). These were attached to the report as appendices RS-4 to RS-6.  The responsible authorities did not make any representations.

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 also stated that any conditions placed on the premises licence should be appropriate and proportionate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives and that the Licensing Authority could grant (subject to appropriate conditions to promote the licensing objectives), amend, alter or refuse an application should it be deemed appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.  The applicant and the responsible authorities had been able to reach agreement on the conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence in order to promote the four Licensing objectives.

The report set out paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5, 8.13, 8.41 to 8.49, 9.12, 9.13, 9.38 to 9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in August 2023.  The report also set out paragraphs 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, , 7.2, 7.3, 7.6, 7.8 to 7.12, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Mike Pickets, Managing Director Raver Tots, Saoirse Holland, Event and Operations Director, Raver Tots, Ian Taylor, Health and Safety and Emergency Planning Officer, Raver Tots, Terry Brown, Operations Director, Exhibition Traffic and Stuart Roberts, Noise Consultant Expert, SRD Group Limited were present at the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.