Agenda item

London Film Museum, 45 Wellington Street, WC2E 7BN (“The Premises”)

17/04163/LIPV

1.

Exhibition of films / Performance of Dance / Live Music / Recorded Music / Performance of a Play

Seasonal variations/ Non-standard timings

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

Proposed:

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

On Sundays before Bank Holidays 12:00 to 02:00

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

The Presenting Officer outlined the nature of the application submitted by the London Film Museum (Covent Garden) Ltd, for a variation of the current premises licence. The Premises were operating as a museum, and the Applicant was seeking to extend the hours for pre-booked licensable activities within a specified area from 23:00 to 02:00 Monday to Saturday. No other variations were sought. The London Film Museum hosted events as an ancillary part of their museum operation, and the variation was for selected private and pre-booked events.  No residential representations had been received in relation to the application.

Mr Speaker addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the Applicant, and outlined the merits of the application which sought to attract a higher calibre customer and gain revenue to support the work of the museum together with charitable events. The museum had a capacity of 450 guests, of which a maximum of 300 were permitted in the bar area for standing receptions, and 130 for sit-own dinners. In 2013, the Licensing Committee had accepted that a request for the extension of the hours for licensable activities until 00:30 had been an exception to Policy, and had been granted. Since that time, no objections to the events that were already taking place in the bar area had been received, and the Applicant considered that the proven track record of the premises supported the continued departure from Policy.

Mr Speaker confirmed that the Museum would be willing to work with the Police to address their concerns regarding SIA supervision and dispersal, and similarly confirmed that it was in the museum’s interest to provide additional security to protect the artifacts on display. The Applicant also considered that the further extension of hours would not add to cumulative impact, and was willing to agree that the last entry to the Premises would be at 00:30, with dispersal being gradual.  Mr Speaker suggested that the Licensing Authority’s objection on Policy which related to venues that solely supplied alcohol would not apply, as the primary use of the Premises was that of a museum and not a drinking establishment.

The Sub-Committee noted that although the hatched area had doors that could close off the rest of the museum, drinking took place across the museum upon occasion. The Applicant also preferred not to limit the number of events that could be staged at the Premises, should the hours be extended.

PC Day addressed the Sub-Committee and confirmed that the Police had maintained their representations on the grounds that the venue was situated within the West End Cumulative Impact Area, and believed that the extended hours may cause further policing problems in a locality where there was traditionally high crime and disorder.

Mr Sycamore addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the Licensing Authority and considered that the substantial increase in hours could be detrimental to the Licensing Objectives. The Licensing Authority also considered that once the museum had closed, the principle use of the bar area would be for the sale of alcohol.

The Sub-Committee had listened very carefully to all of the submissions from all parties, and wished the Film Museum well. The Sub-Committee noted that the City Council had previously granted a licence which had been extended, but considered that the current application went beyond and could not be considered an exception to Policy as it was likely to contribute to cumulative impact in the area. The Sub-Committee noted that the proposal was to operate the hatched area as a function space at times when the Museum was closed, and accepted that the submission from the Licensing Authority that the extended operation would be contrary to Cumulative Impact Area Policy, and refused the application accordingly.

2.

Anything of a Similar Description

Seasonal variations/ Non-standard timings

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

Proposed:

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

The application was refused; see Section 1 for further details.

3.

Late night refreshment

Seasonal variations/ Non-standard timings

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

Proposed:

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

On Sundays before Bank Holidays 12:00 to 02:00

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

The application was refused; see Section 1 for further details.

4.

Sale by Retail of Alcohol

On or off Sales                                    Current and Proposed:     Both

Seasonal variations/ Non-standard timings

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

Proposed:

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

On Sundays before Bank Holidays 12:00 to 02:00

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

The application was refused; see Section 1 for further details.

5.

Hours Premises are open to the public

Seasonal variations/ Non-standard timings

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

Proposed:

From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the beginning of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

On Sundays before Bank Holidays 12:00 to 02:30

Amendments to application advised at hearing:

None.

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

The application was refused; see Section 1 for further details.