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, for the sake of completeness, copies were included with the report at Appendix MH-11.

 

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 objectives.

 

The report set out paragraphs 1.6, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.27, 7.2, 7.6 to 7.12, 8.5, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The report also set out paragraphs 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 8.41 to 8.49, 9.12, 9.38 to 9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in December 2023.

 

Mike Harding, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Reading Borough Council, attended the meeting, presented the report and addressed the Sub-Committee. Robert Smalley, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Reading Borough Council, also attended the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee. Tabitha Shaw, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Reading Borough Council, was also present but did not address the Sub-Committee on the item.

 

Mike Johnson and Linda Salmon from Caversham Park Village Social Club Limited attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions.

 

None of the local residents who had submitted valid representations attended the hearing.

 

Resolved –

         

(1)           That, after taking into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under section 182 of that Act and Reading Borough Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and having considered the likely effect that granting the application would have on the promotion of the four Licensing Objectives:

 

·       the prevention of crime and disorder;

·       public safety;

·       the prevention of public nuisance; and

·       the protection of children from harm

 

and having considered:

 

·       the written report and associated paperwork for the meeting;

·       the written representations submitted by local residents included in the paperwork for the meeting; and

·       the oral representations made at the meeting, including the professional representations of the Council’s Licensing Team and the representations made by the Applicant;

 

the Premises Licence in respect of Milestone Centre, Northbrook Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6PF, be granted to permit 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 

 

subject to the modified conditions agreed between Thames Valley Police, Reading Borough Council's Licensing Team and the Applicant as set out in Appendix MH-3 to the report.

 

The Chair advised of the right of appeal.