The Licensing Panel of Harrow Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Coffee 2 Cocktails, located at 51 High Street, Harrow. The meeting's agenda also included a review of licensing procedures.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Coffee 2 Cocktails

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence for Coffee 2 Cocktails, situated at 51 High Street, Harrow. The report pack indicated that representations had been received from local residents expressing concerns about the potential for the licence to undermine the licensing objectives, particularly regarding public nuisance.

The applicant, Coffee 2 Cocktails Limited, sought permission for several licensable activities, including recorded music, performance of dance, late-night refreshment, and the retail sale of alcohol. The proposed hours for these activities extended into the early hours of the morning, with the premises to be open to the public until 01:00 on weekdays and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Special extensions were also requested for Sundays prior to bank holidays, Good Friday, and New Year's Eve.

Residents' representations, including those from Doug Benham, Jeffrey Leib, and Gillian and David Anderson, highlighted concerns about noise disturbance from customers, particularly from those using the external forecourt area and from patrons leaving the premises late at night. The unique acoustics of the High Street were noted as a factor that could amplify such noise. Residents also questioned the proposed closing times and the definition of regulated entertainment, expressing a desire for the hours to be more restrictive and for measures to be in place to ensure customers leave quietly.

The report pack outlined the procedure for oral hearings under the Licensing Act 2003¹, detailing the steps from introductions to the announcement of the decision. It also referenced the statutory guidance issued under the Act, particularly concerning public nuisance, and the council's own statement of licensing policy. The report directed the Panel's attention to the operating schedule submitted by the applicant, which detailed the steps proposed to promote the licensing objectives. The Divisional Director of Environment and Culture, Simon Baxter, provided a report on the application.

The report pack also included proposed conditions for the licence, should it be granted. These conditions focused on the prevention of crime and disorder, including the installation and maintenance of a CCTV system to Home Office guidance, and the prevention of public nuisance, with specific measures for the external forecourt area and customer dispersal. Conditions for the protection of children from harm, such as a Challenge 21 policy, were also outlined.

Licensing Procedures

The Panel was also scheduled to review the Licensing Procedures document, which details the procedure to be followed at an oral hearing. This document outlines the expected conduct during hearings, including introductions, presentations by the applicant and objectors, questioning, and concluding statements.