Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest made.

It was confirmed that all items were marked as Part 1 and would therefore be considered in public.

None.

Introduction

Jhini Mukherjee, Licensing Officer, introduced the application for the grant of a premises licence for Friends Junction, 1262 Uxbridge Road, Hayes, UB4 8JF. It was highlighted that one representation has been received from an interested party, Councillor Darran Davies, Ward Councillor for Charville. No representations had been received from responsible authorities with regard to the application, although it was noted that the Licensing Authority had initially submitted a representation which was withdrawn following the applicant’s agreement to additional conditions. The Sub-Committee were invited to determine the application.

The Applicant

Mr Surendra Panchal, the applicant’s representative, and Mr Manmohan Singh Kapoor, the applicant, were present and addressed the Sub-Committee. It was noted that the applicant had held a personal licence since 2012 and had not breached their licence, they had worked in an off-licence shop during that time. The applicant, after a number of years working in an off-licence shop, felt that a family run Punjabi restaurant business would be more financially viable due to the off-licence business struggling throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The applicant made the Sub-Committee aware that they would prefer if they could speak in Punjabi or Hindi during the hearing, to which the Sub-Committee noted that the applicant’s agent, who was fluent in the applicant’s native language, could translate for the applicant and clarify any questions that the applicant was unable to fully understand or articulate.

By way of clarification regarding the provision of performances of dance as an applied for licensable activity, it was confirmed that there would not be a dance floor within the premises, despite what was shown on the floor plan provided within the agenda pack. It was noted that this was only applied for in the event that any patrons chose to stand up and dance at their table to the live music that would occasionally be provided. With regard to the provision of live music, it was highlighted that this licensable activity was not originally applied for in the application, however, it was clarified that live music would occur only occasionally and would consist of a live singer and recorded music. It was explicitly confirmed that no live musical instruments would be played as part of these performances.

With regard to the supply of alcohol, it was confirmed by the applicant’s representative that no alcohol would be served directly at the bar and that there would be no vertical drinking, instead alcohol would only be served via table service using wait staff and that the premises would adopt a ‘Challenge 25’ policy.

The applicant sought to explain the premises’ proposed opening times noting that from 09:00am, the premises would be open but only selling snacks and breakfast items from a small counter just inside the premises. Licensable activities had been applied for from 11:00am when the restaurant would start to cater to lunch demands.

The Sub-Committee sought clarification around the capacity of the venue to which the applicant informed Members that capacity would be around 55 to 60 patrons. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.