79 London Road (Impartation Network): Council launches review of premises licence

Following the unsuccessful attempt in July by the operators of 79 London Road (Impartation Network) to extend their opening hours, we have heard that environmental protection officers have launched a formal review of the premises licence held by this venue. This follows a large number of complaints to the Council about excessive noise from this venue from residents living in the area.

We welcome this news. The Council must take firm enforcement action against those premises which cause disturbance to the local community or who fail to take action to deal with noise breakout despite repeated reminders from officers.

So what happens next?

There is a 28 consultation period, during which time members of the public can provide evidence in support of the review or the premises being reviewed. In relation to residents representations I have been advised by Borough Council officers that:-

a) They MUST be relevant.  Any NOT relevant, will not feature in the review process.
b) If residents have already submitted evidence to the Environmental Protection team thereby triggering the review, they are entitled to add to that evidence provided it is relevant and in addition to what they have already provided.
c) Whilst new representations can be submitted by residents who have not previously provided any information or complained, it should be born in mind that comment may be made as to why, if the problem was so bad, did they leave it until the review process had started, before coming forward. 

We are aware that a number of residents sent in objections to the recent licence variation application.  Any representations received for the review application should NOT be a copy of what was provided for the variation application.  The variation dealt with what was being proposed and representations will have reflected residents concerns/fears for the future, as well as some evidence of what had taken place in the past. 

The review application will not take account of residents views or concerns for the future but will concentrate on hard evidence of what has occurred at the premises since the licence was issued.  Officers need times, days, dates of what occurred, volumes, sleepless nights, being woken up by shouting, singing, music etc as well as details of what residents did in response i.e. submitted a complaint to RBC.

Subject to the outcome of the review, it is possible for the reviewed premises to appeal the decision to the Magistrate's Court.  Should this occur, there is a strong possibility that anyone who submitted a representation in respect of the original review may be called to give evidence to the Court.

The deadline for comments is 6 November 2008. Comments should be sent to:

The Licensing Team (marked Licence Review – 79 London Road)
Reading Borough Council
Civic Centre
Reading
RG1 7AE

Alternatively comments should be emailed to jean.champeau@reading.gov.uk

I would be grateful if any residents submitting comments send me a copy so I am aware of their concerns.

Please contact the Licensing department if you have any queries in respect of this licence review on 0118 939 0678.