This Licensing Panel E meeting was scheduled to review an application for the review of a premises licence under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003¹ for The Sir Richard Steele, 97 Haverstock Hill, London NW3 4RL. The licence is held by Martin Power. There were no reports scheduled to be considered in private.

Review of the Licence of the Sir Richard Steele

The Sir Richard Steele is a pub in Belsize Park. It is licensed for the supply of alcohol, the performance of live and recorded music, the provision of late night refreshment, and the provision of facilities for dancing.

The panel was scheduled to review the licence following an application made by Haverstock Action Group, a group of 11 local residents.

The group submitted an application that stated:

Since February 2023 there has been a constant disturbance from The Richard Steeles Public House to the residents who live around Steeles Village and the adjoining area of Haverstock Hill where the Pub is situated.

They provided video and photographic evidence of what they said were breaches of the conditions of the licence.

The group asked the panel to change the hours for live music to finish at 10pm. They also requested that the hours for recorded music be restricted to 10am to 10:30pm, including the function room.

The panel was scheduled to consider 12 representations that had been received in relation to the application.

Two representations were in support of the application to review the premises licence. These were from Councillor Kemi Atolagbe, and the Licensing Authority².

Councillor Atolagbe stated that she had worked with residents to try to resolve the issues, but the pub had not engaged, and they had been left with no choice but to apply for a review.

The Licensing Authority’s representation stated that the premises had a history of complaints from residents, and that officers had made efforts to engage with the premises, but without success. The authority also asked for the addition of a condition to make it mandatory for the premises to provide security to disperse patrons standing on the pavement and control noise and behaviour.

Ten representations opposing the application to review the premises licence were scheduled to be considered. These were all from members of the public. For example, Kathryn A Hollis, a resident of a flat above the pub, argued that the pub is well run, adds to the life of the community, and that:

There is no antisocial behaviour going on and nothing that, as a single woman living alone, makes me feel at all unsafe coming home at closing time.

Guidance on Procedures

The panel was also scheduled to consider its guidance on the procedures for remote meetings held under the Licensing Act 2003.

The guidance sets out how remote meetings will be conducted, including the use of Microsoft Teams and the streaming of meetings to the public. It also covers the process for submitting late papers, the role of the Chair, and the procedures for dealing with confidential items.

Apologies

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Richard Olszewski.

Minutes

The panel was scheduled to approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2024.

These minutes included the panel's decision to revoke the licence of Atlanta Supermarket, 519 Finchley Road, London, NW3 7BB, following a review application by the Metropolitan Police. The panel heard evidence from the Police and the licence holder before making its decision in private.