Agenda item

Members considered an application for a premises licence submitted by The York Museums Trust in relation to The Hospitium, Museum Gardens, York.

Members were presented with the following options:

Option 1        Grant the licence in the terms applied for.

Option 2        Grant the licence with modified/additional conditions imposed by the licensing committee.

Option 3        Grant the licence to exclude any of the licensable activities to which the application relates and modify/add conditions accordingly.

Option 4        Reject the application.

The Licensing Officer reported that this was an historic building which was used for the holdings of weddings and conferences and was not currently licensed. He confirmed that the Environmental Protection Unit had been contacted over the weekend following complaints of a noise nuisance at the premises. It was also confirmed that following a meeting between two residents and the Yorkshire Museums Trust that a list of agreed conditions which could be added to any approval had been included in the hearing papers. It was also reported that the Applicants had confirmed they were happy to amend any condition relating to maximum occupancy of the premises to restrict this not to exceed 250 persons for events.

Representations were received from the Applicant at the hearing who stated that the building was under utilised and that increased use of the Hospitium would generate additional income for the Trust to reinvest in the Museum and its gardens. They confirmed that to address residents concerns they would be prepared to stop serving alcohol at 12am every evening and were willing to ensure that the premises and gardens were vacated by 1am. Added security as events would assist with any problems in the Museum Gardens following their closure.

Representations were made by local residents in writing and at the hearing which included residents’ support for the use of the premises subject to the imposition of strict controls over noise, access/exit from the Museum Gardens and hours of use.

Taking into consideration the representations made in writing and at the hearing, the licensing objectives and the City of York Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Sub-Committee agreed to grant the premises licence with the additional conditions.

RESOLVED:             That in line with Option 2 the premises licence be granted with the following additional conditions.

1.      All licensable activities shall cease as follows:

Sunday to Thursday – 11.00pm

Friday and Saturday – 12.00am

2.      The premises and gardens to be vacated as follows:

Sunday to Thursday – 12.00am

Friday and Saturday – 1.00am

3.      The maximum occupancy of the premises not to exceed 250 persons.

4.      The Marygate entrance will close at 8.30pm.

5.      Noise or vibration shall not emanate from the premises so as to cause a nuisance to nearby properties. A decibel level indicator and noise limiting device will be fitted inside the premises to monitor the level of sound and will alert the person in charge if the sound goes above the agreed level. The noise abatement scheme shall be agreed in writing by the Applicant and the Councils Environmental Protection Unit.

6.      Museum security, as agreed by the Licensing Authority, will be present at all events to monitor the drinking of alcohol outside the premises within the physical limits agreed and that a very clear demarcation line will be provided with a system of soft barriers.

7.      Announcements will be made at the end of the evening asking customers to leave quietly by the Museum Street entrance.

8.      All on-sales will be limited to within the building only and to guests attending a pre-arranged function.

9.      On pre-arranged events involving outside catering, a Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered door supervisor will be in attendance.

10.There shall be no off-sales of alcohol from the building.

11.Mandatory conditions 19 and 21 apply.

REASON:                  To address the representations made in respect of the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.