Roadster Café, Westar House, 139-151 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5QE (“The Premises”)

18/09700/LIPN

1.

Sale by retail of alcohol: On sales

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

Decision (including reasons if different from those set out in report):

public nuisance, public safety, and protection of children from harm).

Simon Tong (Agent, representing the Applicant) began by stating that the intention was to operate a café concurrently with a car showroom which shared the same building. It was submitted that the café would offer customers an additional experience for the car showroom customers, and also members of the public, to enjoy light refreshments and drinks including hot and alcoholic drinks. However, the intention was not to create a drinking establishment on the Premises but an enhanced experience when looking to purchase a showroom vehicle.  The Sub-Committee noted that the Applicant had worked with the Police and Environmental Health to ensure the appropriate conditions were in place. In addition, the application was well within core hours.

The Sub-Committee asked if customers would be permitted to take alcoholic drinks into the car showroom, and if not, what steps would be taken to prevent them from doing this. Clarification was also sought as to how the outside area would be used, how was it defined and how it was to be managed. It was also asked why the Applicant wished this outside area to be licensed. Further details were also sought as to what type of light refreshments would be available at the Premises.

In reply to questions from the Sub-Committee, Mr Tong stated customers would not be permitted to take alcoholic drinks into the car showroom, and if they strayed away from the licensed area and towards the car showroom with alcoholic drinks, staff would be present to remind them where the designated areas for consumption of alcohol were. Mr Tong informed the Sub-Committee that the outside area would be used for customers when the weather was good to enjoy the sunshine and warmth and the use of this area would be carefully monitored by staff. However, most of the time, customers would be seated indoors. Mr Tong clarified that the outside area was defined as per the Land Registry plan, however the Applicant would not be using the whole of this area. The Sub-Committee noted that there was no physical barrier as such between the café and the car showroom. Mr Tong added that car showrooms did not attract a particularly large footfall, so  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.