Councillor Barbara Lewis was elected as Chairwoman for the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of a Sub-Committee held on 8 and 29 August 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 8 and 29 August 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairwoman.

To consider an application for a Variation to a Premises Licence in respect of The Mermaid, 2 King Street, Brixham, TQ5 9TF

Members considered a report on an application for a Variation to a Premises Licencein respect of The Mermaid, 2 King Street, Brixham. 

Written Representations received from:

Additional Information:

In response to the written representations the Applicant submitted a copy of their representation, dated 17 October 2024 and a copy of the premises Dispersal Policy.

Oral Representations received from:

Decision:

That the application for a Variation to a Premises Licence in respect of The Mermaid, 2 King Street, Brixham be granted as applied for.

Reason for Decision

Having carefully considered all the written and oral Representations, Members unanimously granted the application for a Variation to a Premises Licence having been satisfied by the evidence before them that in doing so, the Licensing Objectives would be upheld.

Members heard from the Applicant that they had received many requests from patrons to extend their opening hours and that this would provide a licensed premises in the area to visit after midnight, where currently there is none. It would also remove the ‘hard stop’ at midnight currently in place within the locality.

Members were disappointed that the objectors to the application did not attend the hearing to give oral Representations and noted as such, that they were unable to ascertain whether the complaints referred to within were historical in nature.  Members had no evidence before them to support the concerns raised and upon questioning of the Licensing Officer, they had confirmed that no complaints had been received by either the Licensing Team or Environmental Health in relation to the premises since the Applicant took over in May 2023.

Members were impressed by the Applicants considerable understanding and knowledge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.