The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Milan Palace, located at Rear of 68 The Green, Southall, UB2 4BG. The meeting's agenda also included procedural matters.

Application for a Premises Licence at Milan Palace

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for Milan Palace, located at Rear of 68 The Green, Southall, UB2 4BG. The applicant, Jamshid Frough, sought to be granted a licence for the supply of alcohol, the performance of plays, live music, recorded music, and dance, as well as late-night refreshment.

The proposed hours for the supply of alcohol were from 10:00 to 00:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 10:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. For performances, the requested hours were from 08:00 to 00:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and 08:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Late-night refreshment was requested between 23:00 and 00:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and 23:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report pack indicated that representations had been received from the Ealing Council Noise Team and the Metropolitan Police Service. The Noise and Nuisance Officer, Ewelina Kaczowka, had agreed conditions with the licence holder regarding noise and external activities. The Metropolitan Police Service submitted a representation concerning the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The committee was asked to consider the application in light of the council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹, which outlines core hours for licensable activities. The application's requested hours for the supply of alcohol extended beyond these core hours for town centre areas. The report pack detailed the legal implications under the Licensing Act 2003² and considerations under the Human Rights Act 1998³.

The Metropolitan Police's representation highlighted concerns related to the premises' location within a Special Policy Area⁴, which was established due to issues with crime, anti-social behaviour, and nuisance. The representation also noted previous breaches of COVID-19 regulations by the premises, leading to a licence suspension and fixed penalty notices for individuals associated with the venue, including the applicant's sister and brother-in-law. Furthermore, the police raised concerns about the applicant's alleged difficulties in providing CCTV footage when requested, citing incidents at both Milan Palace and another venue, The Tudor Rose, where the applicant also holds a licence. The police stated that the failure to provide CCTV footage was a breach of a condition on the current premises licence for Milan Palace. They expressed concern that granting the supply of alcohol would increase crime and disorder, thereby not promoting the licensing objectives.

The report pack also included details on the application process, including information on demonstrating entitlement to work in the UK and notes on regulated entertainment. The application form itself provided extensive details about the applicant, Jamshid Frough, and the proposed operating schedule.