Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2024 having been circulated were signed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 26 April 2024 having been circulated were signed as a correct record.

The Committee met to consider an application which has been made under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 to grant the above premises licence.  The hearing was held in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 and Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

 

PREAMBLE

 

A meeting of the Regulatory Sub-Committee (acting as Licensing Committee under the Licensing Act 2003) of Halton Borough Council was held at Municipal Building, Widnes, on Friday 31st May 2024 commencing at 1.30pm.  

 

The meeting was held to hear an application made under section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the variation of a Premises Licence at Alchemy, High Street Runcorn. The application was amended during the hearing by the Applicant to maintain current hours of operation on Sunday with all other matters remaining as set out in the Operating Schedule to the variation application.  It was this amended application that was determined by the Sub-Committee.

 

In attendance were:

 

1.     Members of the Regulatory Sub-Committee comprising Cllr Pamela Wallace (Chair), Cllr Irene Bramwell and Cllr Kath Loftus (`the Sub Committee’).

2.     Christopher Carney (Licensing Consultant) representing the Applicant - namely Gary Oates of Encore (Runcorn) Limited (‘the Applicant’).

3.     Kim Hesketh (Licensing Manager).

4.     Alex Strickland (Legal Adviser).

 

Lesley Halliday (Police Licensing Officer, Cheshire Police) was in attendance but did not participate in the hearing, as was Belynda Oates, who was in support of the Applicant but did not participate.

 

The hearing was triggered as a result of the objection by several emails dated 29 April 2024 (‘the Objection’) from Cllr Stef Nelson (‘the Objector’). The Objector was not present at the hearing.

 

There were no representations from Responsible Authorities. 

 

After the Chair of the Sub Committee had introduced the parties, the Legal Adviser outlined the procedure to be followed. The Licensing Manager presented the Licensing Report with appendices including: Location Plan (Appendix A); the schedule of Licensed Premises in the local area (Appendix B); copy of the current Premises Licence with summary (Appendix C); the Variation Application (Appendix D) and extracts from policy and guidance (Appendix E) - setting out the nature of the application, noting that there had been no representations from responsible authorities, including Cheshire Police in respect of the prevention of crime and disorder/anti-social behaviour statutory licensing objectives (or otherwise). The Licensing Report set out the Objection lodged by Cllr Stef Nelson, who was not present at the hearing. In addition, the Sub Committee was provided with written representations provided on behalf of the Applicant.

 

1.     Details of the application (as amended during the hearing)

 

Opening Hours

 

Mon - Wed    10.00 to 03.00

Thurs            10.00 to 04.00

Fri & Sat        10.00 to 06.00

Sun               10.00 to 02.30

 

Plays, Films, Indoor Sporting, Boxing or Wrestling

 

Mon - Wed               10.00 to 02.30

Thurs                       10.00 to 03.30

Fri & Sat                   10.00 to 05.30

Sun                          07.00 to 12 midnight

 

Live Music

 

Mon - Wed              10.00 to 02.30

Thurs                       10.00 to 03.30

Fri & Sat                   10.00 to 05.30

Sun                           10.00 to 02.00

 

Recorded Music

 

Mon - Wed               10.00 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.