The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to consider a single application for a new premises licence. The application was for Spoon & Rice, located at 16 High Road, London, NW10 2QG, which sought to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises.

Application for a New Premises Licence at Spoon & Rice

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence by John Belmonte for Spoon & Rice. The application was made under the Licensing Act 2003, which governs the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment.

Initially, the application proposed the sale of alcohol from 11 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday. However, the applicant later agreed to reduce the terminal hour for alcohol sales to 9:30 pm.

Representations were received from the Police and the Licensing Officer, both of which were subsequently withdrawn. However, a representation remained outstanding from a local resident.

The report pack detailed the conditions that the Licensing Authority proposed to be included on the licence. These included requirements for a digital colour CCTV system, a Challenge 25 policy for age verification, and staff training on the Licensing Act 2003. It was also recommended that alcohol should only be provided as an accompaniment to a main meal in the restaurant area and that the supply of alcohol should be by waiter or waitress service. The Licensing Authority also proposed a reduction in the hours for the sale of alcohol to 9:30 pm, with premises open to the public until 10:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

The applicant, John Belmonte, submitted a written statement confirming full acceptance of all proposed conditions. He also addressed concerns raised by a resident regarding the use of external space and delivery driver behaviour. Mr. Belmonte stated that the sale of alcohol would be for consumption on the premises only, and that alcohol would not be provided for delivery. He also outlined measures taken to address complaints about delivery drivers obstructing the public highway, including instructions for drivers to park responsibly and signage reinforcing these instructions. The applicant also confirmed that a temporary shed had been removed and that a decorative flower divider was purely aesthetic and covered by a pavement licence.

A resident's representation expressed concerns that granting the licence would have a detrimental impact on their quality of life due to increased noise, nuisance, and anti-social behaviour at the shared entrance to their residential properties. The resident questioned the necessity of an alcohol licence for a primarily takeaway business with limited on-site seating and expressed doubt that CCTV would prevent disturbances.

The report pack also included correspondence detailing the withdrawal of representations from the Police and the Licensing Authority after the applicant agreed to the proposed conditions and provided revised plans.