Decision

Licensing Act 2003
Notice of Decision
 
PREMISES
Darts Knight
27 Station Lane
Hornchurch
RM12 6JL
 
 
APPLICANT
Mr David James Knight
 
Details of requested licensable activities
This application for a premises licence is
made by Darts Knight LTD under section 17 of the Licensing Act
2003.  The application was received by
Havering’s Licensing Authority on the 11 August 2025.
 
Details of the application
 
The applicant applied for the supply of
alcohol seven days a week with opening hours between 10:00 to 23:00
hours each day.
 
Geographical description of the area and
description of the building: The premises is located in a parade of
purpose-built commercial units in Hornchurch’s town centre.
Residential properties are located above the parade of commercial
properties. This area might therefore be considered to be of mixed
use.
 
 
Summary
 
There was one representation against this
application from a neighbouring business.
 
There were no representations against this
application from residents or responsible authorities.
 
Determination for the new premises licence
 
Introduction
 
1.         The
Licensing Sub-Committee (“LSC”) has considered an
application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Darts
Knight situated at 27 Station Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6JL
(“the premises”).  The
application was to permit the following licensable activities:
 
a.        
      The supply of
alcohol (on-supplies)
 
2.         The
Licensing Authority received written representation from the
following person in respect of the application:
 
a.         Mr Lewis
Robson, Director of Motion Remedy  
 
3.         The LSC
was advised that Mr Robson had sent in an email confirming that he
would not be attending the hearing and raised whether the premises
had considered implementing SIA registered security
staff.  The Public Protection Officer
presenting the report confirmed this condition was not usual or
appropriate for this type of premises. 
 
4.         The LSC
heard oral submissions from the applicant Mr Dave
Knight.  He informed the LSC that the
booking system to pay for a lane for darts was on the
premises’ website, there is no bar but a seating area has
been provided, there will be no loud music and doors will be kept
shut with the appropriate signage installed inside the premises.
The applicant reassured the LSC there will also be no TV inside the
premises and, given the capacity of 45 people (including staff) on
the premises, even if it was full it would not be exceedingly loud.
Mr Knight confirmed there is an external smoking area with table
and chairs on the premises’ frontage, however, customers will
not be permitted to drink outside. In addition, persons under 16
years are permitted to attend the premises only if accompanied by
an adult.
 
5.         In
response to further questions, Mr Knight expressed his willingness
to accept a further condition on the premises licence that the sale
of alcohol to customers inside the premises would be ancillary to
the booking of a lane for playing darts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decision
 

6.      Having
considered the written evidence and the oral submissions made
during the hearing the LSC decided that the application for a
premises licence should be granted as follows:
 
Opening and closing times of the premises:
Monday to Sunday – 10:00 – 23:00 hours
 
Supply of alcohol for consumption on the
premises: Monday to Sunday – 10:00 – 23:00 hours
 
A further condition is imposed on the premises
licence as follows:
The supply of alcohol may only be made to
customers for consumption inside the premises, which shall be
ancillary to the booking of a lane for the playing of darts at the
venue. 
 
Reasons for the Decision
 

7.      The LSC must
promote the licensing objectives and must have regard to the
Secretary of State’s National Guidance created under s.182 of
the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s own Statement of
Licensing Policy. 
 
8.         The
premises is situated in a Cumulative Impact Zone
(“CIZ”). Therefore, there is a rebuttable presumption
that the grant of the licence would add to the existing problems in
the area.
 
9.         The LSC
carefully considered the agenda, the representation made and the
responses between the Applicant and Mr Robson as set out in the
agenda.  The LSC decided that the
applicant had successfully rebutted the presumption.
 

10.    Members were satisfied
the applicant had demonstrated a good awareness of the CIZ. During
the hearing members raised a number of questions relating to the
operation of the business and they were satisfied the applicant
would manage the business responsibly. They considered the
conditions within the operating schedule were adequate and that the
applicant had satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised by Mr
Robson in the supplementary agenda.
 

11.    Finally, the applicant
had agreed to a further condition as proposed in the hearing that
alcohol will only be consumed by those who had booked a lane or
were playing darts.  This assured
members the sale of alcohol will be responsibly  controlled within the premises. 
 
 
 
Right of Appeal
 
Any party who has made a relevant
representation may appeal to the Magistrates’ Court within 21
days of notification of the decision.
 
On appeal, the Magistrates’ Court
may:
1.         Dismiss
the appeal; or
2.        
Substitute the decision for another decision which could have been
made by the Sub Committee; or

3.      Remit the
case to the Sub Committee to dispose of it in accordance with the
direction of the Court; and
4.         Make an
order for costs as it sees fit.