Agenda and draft minutes

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That the Items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.

The Chairman requested those present to introduce themselves, explained the procedures and Members confirmed that they had read all the papers.

It was confirmed that no draft conditions had been agreed between the applicant and the objector.

Mrs Bolas explained that the hearing was regarding an application to vary a Premises Licence made by Bayram Ali Kanik in respect of the premises Britannic Fish Bar, 54 Gabriels Hill, Maidstone for an extension of their late night refreshment on Fridays and Saturdays from 4am to 5am on Saturday and Sunday.  Representations had been received from the Chief Officer of Police for refusal on prevention of crime and disorder and public safety grounds.

Mr Rice, representing the applicant, stated in his opening remarks that the applicant seeks to fulfil an unmet need between 4am and 5am when night club activities come to an end.  The application is just for Friday and Saturday nights.  He stated that the applicant has run the Britannic Fish Bar for 7 years, has 4 staff, CCTV and a radio alarm system. 

Mr Rice asked the applicant a number of questions to which he responded that:-

• His staff were aware how to operate the CCTV and radio alarm system.
• He was aware of the three reported incidents and was present at the incident in September but was not present at the time of the other two incidents
• When opening late furniture is stored at the back of the shop to allow for more space in the shop and only takeaway operates.
• Other late opening premises are nearby, the main one is Road House but there are other takeaways furher up Gabriels Hill.
• His premises do not sell alcohol only soft drinks.
• Gabriels Hill is a route to leave the town centre and people pass his shop on their way home
• Can offer to employ an SIA trained door person for Friday and Saturday evenings if the licence is granted.
• Whilst the Police state that the premises have been open after 4 am the door is only open for clearing the premises not trading.

PC Neil Barnes, representative of the Chief Officer of Police, was then given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant.  Mr Kanik responded that there was demand for trade between the extra hours of 4am and 5am and that this was specifically aimed at people leaving the night clubs.  Mr Kanik said that he had not been aware that the use of the Nite Net radio was a requirement of the licence but it is now on place.  The CCTV system was changed about 2 years ago and staff are fully trained in the use of the system.

PC Barnes then referred to a number of incidents where CCTV footage had been requested by the police from the premises and a number of different reasons were given for not supplying the footage.  Mr Kanik said he was not aware of these.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

10.00 am to 12.10 pm.