Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee B held on 4 December 2023 as published.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 4 December 2023 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

There were no Declarations of Interest. 

The Chairman stated that one of the objectors was known to him as a member of the Woking Liberal Democrats, however that would not affect his ability to form an independent decision on the case before the Sub-Committee and, following consultation with the Council’s Senior Solicitor, was therefore not classed as a Declaration of Interest.

To consider any business that the Chairman rules may be dealt with under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

Reporting Person – Derrick Laing

The Sub-Committee had before it a report regarding an application for a new Premises Licence from Innpacked Ltd on behalf on Fusion Restaurants (2020) Ltd for The Westfield Bar and Restaurant, 48 Westfield Road, for which 26 objections had originally been received from members of the public living closeby, reduced to 11 following an amendment to the proposed licence by the applicant.  A representation had also been received from Woking Planning Enforcement which referred to the planning restrictions on opening hours and the use of the outdoor area.  Charles Denny of Innpacked Ltd attended the meeting to represent the Westfield Bar and Restaurant alongside the proposed DPS, Gurmukh Biring.  The objectors were represented by Danielle Sparling, Louisa Holford and Louise McElhinney.

All parties present had a copy of the Licensing Committee’s agreed procedure to be followed at Licensing Sub-Committee hearings.  The Chairman introduced Members of the Sub-Committee and outlined the order of speaking which would be followed at the hearing.

The Licensing Authority’s representative, Mr Laing, summarised the report that was before the Sub-Committee, stating that the original application received on 8 February 2024 had been for the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises; live music; recorded music; late night refreshment; and the licensing of opening hours as set out in the report.  The application was similar to that of the previous occupier, Guru Restaurant, prior to its transfer to Fusion Restaurants Ltd, with an additional 30 minutes requested on Sunday and the removal of the requirement to only sell alcohol alongside food.  In addition it was stated that aside from the objections received, the representation from Woking Planning Enforcement had been included for information and could not lawfully be taken into account by the Sub-Committee. 

The Sub-Committee was advised that on 7 March 2024 the applicant notified the Licensing Authority of its decision to remove ‘live music and recorded music’ from the operating schedule, along with conditions agreed with Surrey Police as set out in the report.  The amendment resulted in 15 out of the original 26 objections being withdrawn, with eleven objections remaining.  The objectors had provided some supporting information including photographs and video footage.

Following a question from one of the objectors Mr Laing stated that the premises would be able to play live and recorded music from 08.00 to 23.00 hours, and clarified that the premises would be able to sell alcohol without the purchase of food.

None of the other parties present had had any questions for Mr Laing.

The Chairman gave the Applicant the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee.  Mr Denny stated that the licence held by the previous occupant permitted the sale of alcohol until midnight since 2005, and that the current application requested an additional 30 minutes on Sundays, with all outside furniture to be brought inside quietly at 22.00 hours and no intention to install umbrellas.  He stated that the premises only expected to fully utilise its licensable hours on some Thursdays, Fridays  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.