Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That Councillor Denham be elected Chairman for the meeting.

COUNCILLOR DENHAM IN THE CHAIR

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any item on the Agenda or within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

None.

To consider and determine an application for a street amenity permission in respect of the Conservatory Café Bar, Friar Street, Worcester.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a street amenity permission in respect of the Conservatory Café Bar, Friar Street, Worcester.

The premises currently had permission for use of tables and chairs to the front of their premises and the application sought an extension of the current times.

The following persons were in attendance for the Applicant:

• Lee Coopey, Manager, Cropthorne Inns
• Andrew Portlock, Licensee, The Conservatory Café Bar

At the start of the hearing, the Chairman made the following statement:-

“Presentations to this Sub-Committee are not given under oath. However, I would like to remind all parties that the highest standards are expected and any deviation from these high standards could possibly influence any decision of the Sub-Committee.”

All parties to the hearing introduced themselves. 

Mr Phillips, Licensing Officer, summarised the matter for consideration.  He explained that applicants currently had a street amenity permission to trade outside Monday – Sunday from 10:30 – 16:30. The permission permitted a maximum amount of three tables with twelve chairs.  The application sought permission to trade 10:00 – 19:30 hours Monday – Sunday. The amount of street furniture would remain the same.

West Mercia Police Traffic Management had commented that they were unable to support the application due to restricted vehicular access through Friar Street resulting in possible injury to patrons of the establishment.   No objections were received from Highways, Worcester Fire Authority, Environmental Health or Planning. Visit Worcester stated that they had no representations, though they wished for street furniture to be removed during the times of the Christmas Fayre.

There had been no comments from any interested parties.

There were no questions for Mr Phillips from Sub-Committee members or the applicants.

Mr Coopey and Mr Portlock were invited to present their application, following which they answered questions from Sub-Committee members and Mr Phillips.  In response to questions, they stated that there were bollards at either end of the seating area, and furthermore it was intended to barrier the area in a similar fashion to other café premises in the City centre.  The barrier would be weighted and was therefore unlikely to collapse.

The public liability insurance incorporated the outside area.  Vehicles could only approach the premises from the southern end of Friar Street and they were not aware of any accidents involving customers in the last five years. 

Customers were not able to stand outside and there was a sign on the door stating customers are not able to stand and drink outside.

It was clarified that it was only intended to provide outside seating in the summer months, so there would be no clash with the Christmas Fayre.

Both parties were given the opportunity to make a final statement, following which all parties, with the exception of the members of the Sub-Committee and the representatives of the Democratic Services Manager, withdrew to enable the Sub-Committee to consider its decision.

All parties were recalled and in response to a question from the Chairman, Mr Phillips gave details of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.