To consider an application for the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of Phantom Brewing Company – Unit 3-5 Meadow Road, Reading.

The Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application for a variation of a Premises Licence in respect of Phantom Brewing Company, Meadow Road, Reading. The Applicant was seeking to vary the Premises Licence to allow an extension of the hours for the sale by retail of alcohol and an extension of the hours open to the public.

A copy of the application form and a plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1. The report stated that during the 28-day consultation process for the application, representations had been received from Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team (Appendix 2), Reading Borough Council’s Planning Team (Appendix 3) and four residents (Appendices 4 to 7).

The report advised that the Licensing Team’s representation had been withdrawn as the Team’s recommended conditions had been agreed with the Applicant. The suggested conditions were set out at Appendix 2.

The report reminded Councillors that in considering representations received, 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 identified relevant guidance/legislation that needed to be taken into consideration, as set out in the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy (October 2018).

Appended to the report was a copy of a letter dated 17 August 2020 from Andrew Somerville, the Applicant’s Planning Consultant, in which he responded to the representations submitted by Reading Borough Council’s Planning Team.

Finally, the report contained an email dated 10 August 2020 from the Applicant to Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team in which he set out his responses to the representations made against his application to extend the opening hours of the premises.

In advance of the meeting, all parties were provided with a copy of Reading Borough Council’s Planning Team additional document which set out a summary of its representations.

Peter Narancic, Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer, Reading Borough Council presented the report.  Tom Hughes, Planning Officer, Reading Borough Council was present  and addressed the Sub-Committee on his representations regarding the application.

The Applicant was present and was assisted by Andrew Somerville. They addressed the Sub-Committee separately on the application and responded to questions.  The Applicant advised that Phantom Brewing Company had recently extended its premises to include Unit 2 Meadow Road, which amounted to an increase of approximately 5,930 square feet.

The Sub-Committee was advised that the Applicant had agreed to the additional conditions recommended by Reading Borough Council’s Licensing team. 

Resolved -

That, in order to promote the licensing objectives, and having regard to the oral and written representations made, the Secretary of State’s guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (April 2018) and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy (October 2018), the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of Phantom Brewing Company, Meadow Road, Reading, be granted to permit the following licensable activities and hours:

Hours for the Sale by Retail of Alcohol

Wednesday   from 1700hrs until 2200hrs

Thursday       from 1700hrs until 2200hrs

Friday           from 1500hrs until 0000hrs (midnight)

Saturday       from 1300hrs until 0000hrs (midnight)

Sunday         from 1300hrs until 2000hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Wednesday   from 1700hrs until 2030hrs

Thursday       from 1700hrs until 2030hrs

Friday           from 1500hrs until 0000hrs (midnight)

Saturday       from 1300hrs until 0000hrs (midnight)

Sunday         from 1300hrs until 2000hrs

and that the following conditions shall apply:

1.   The requirement for door supervisors to be employed whenever the premises is open from 2000hrs until the last customer has left the premises shall be risk assessed. A written risk assessment shall be carried out by the DPS or nominated representative and produced upon request to authorised officers of Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police upon request.

2.   Whilst on duty Door Supervisors shall be clearly identifiable and display Hi-Vis personalised armbands containing their SIA badge.

3.   When employed, a register of Door Supervisors shall be kept. The register must include the following details:

·      Full SIA registration number.

·      Date and time that the Door Supervisor commenced duty, countersigned by the Designated Premises Supervisor or Duty Manager.

·      Date and time that the Door Supervisor finished work, countersigned by the Designated Premises Supervisor or Duty Manager

·      Any occurrence or incident of interest involving crime & disorder or public safety must be recorded giving names of the Door Supervisor involved.

The Door Supervisor register shall be kept at the premises and be available for inspection by an authorised officer of Thames Valley Police, or an authorised officer from Reading Borough Council and shall be retained for a period of six months.

4.     The premises licence holder must have applied for and been granted planning permission to at least the times stated on the licence before commencing activities to those hours, which include the extended unit covering approximately an extra 5,930 square feet.

5.     All doors and windows must be kept closed, other than for access and egress, from 2000hrs

Condition 17 on the current licence be amended to state:

“Any deliveries for online orders shall only take place on Wednesday and Thursday from 17.00 until 21.00, Friday from 15.00 until 22.00 and Saturday from 13.00 until 22.00hrs”.

The grant is subject to the grant of the appropriate planning consent for the proposed variation.  This decision is without prejudice to the planning Applications Committee and Planning Officers future decision.