The Licensing Act Sub Committee of Cornwall Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Glas Falmouth Ltd. The meeting's agenda also included the election of a chairman, apologies for absence, and declarations of interest.

Application for Premises Licence: Glas Falmouth Ltd

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for Glas Falmouth Ltd, located at Dunstanville Terrace, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 2SW. The report pack indicated that this application had generated representations from Other Persons ¹, which would necessitate a hearing to determine the application.

The applicant, Glas Falmouth Ltd, proposed to operate as a small, food and drink led restaurant and bar offering Mediterranean and Levantine dishes, with alcohol for consumption on the premises. The venue was planned to have an internal dining area with approximately 24 covers and an external seating area for around 16 covers. Proposed opening hours were 11:00 to 00:00 daily, with alcohol sales permitted between 11:00 and 23:30. The application also included provisions for occasional live music, primarily acoustic or low-level amplified performances, and community-focused events, with music finishing by 22:00 Sunday to Thursday and 22:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The applicant outlined several steps to promote the licensing objectives, including maintaining a refusals register, training staff on intoxication and anti-social behaviour, implementing a Challenge 25 age verification policy, and installing CCTV. For public safety, compliance with fire safety and health and safety legislation, regular risk assessments, and unobstructed emergency exits were detailed. To prevent public nuisance, the applicant stated that noise levels would be controlled, customers encouraged to leave quietly, and waste disposal and deliveries managed to minimise disruption. Measures to protect children from harm included strict enforcement of the Challenge 25 policy, ensuring children were accompanied by adults, and prohibiting adult entertainment.

Representations were received from several Other Persons, including Ruth Bedingham, Dr L Carol Jerwood and Mr Paul Cull, Susan Stokes, and Michael and Philippa Price. These representations primarily raised concerns about the prevention of public nuisance, specifically regarding noise from live and recorded music, potential disturbance to local residents, and the use of the external seating area. Concerns were also raised about the potential for increased litter and broken glass in the public Greenbank Gardens area, and the impact of late opening hours and alcohol sales on the amenity of the area. Falmouth Town Council's Planning and Licensing Committee had recommended approval for the premises licence.

The report pack also highlighted that the area of Falmouth where the premises is located is subject to a Cumulative Impact Policy², which aims to limit the number and types of licensed premises in areas where a high concentration may be contributing to problems of nuisance and disorder. The policy states that granting further licences in such areas may be inconsistent with the Licensing Authority's duty to promote the licensing objectives.

The report pack included a Fire Safety Report from Fire Safety Cornwall Ltd, detailing recommendations for fire detection, emergency lighting, means of escape, and firefighting equipment. A Premises Risk Assessment was also provided, summarising general operational risks and control measures, including those related to fire safety.