No apologies for absence were received. 

No declarations of interest were made.

The Licensing Panel was asked to determine an application for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known as Club Three, 42 The Grove, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1DP

The Senior Licensing Officer gave a brief overview of the application and background information to the Panel. 

On 17 September 2019 an application was received from Club three Ltd for the grant of a premises licence under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises located at 42 The Grove, Gravesend, Kent DA12 1DP.

The application was for:

·         Late night refreshment - Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 03.00

·         Performance of live music – Thursday to Sunday 23.00 to 03.00

·         Playing of recorded music – Thursday to Sunday 23.00 to 03.00

·         Other similar entertainment – Monday to Wednesday 09.00 to 23.00 and

·         Thursday to Sunday 23.00 to 03.00

·         Supply by retail of alcohol Monday to Wednesday 09.00 to 23.00 and

·         Thursday to Sunday 09.00 to 03.00

The Licensing Team received the below representations during the 28 day consultation period:

·         An objection from Kent Police (appendix 4)

·         An objection from the Environmental Heath Team (appendix 5)

·         A number of valid representations from the public (appendices 6-10)

·         A petition was also received with 20 signatures from residents of Stephenson House opposing the Club Three application on the grounds of the licensing objective ‘Prevention of Public Nuisance’

The Chair invited the applicants to address the Panel.

The applicants addressed the Panel explaining their application, their background in the night time industry and their work that would promote the venue as a Community Club that would be nothing like the previous occupier, The Grove; which had a host of issues.

The Applicant (Owner) submitted and explained a new lease agreement between himself and Edward Kerr to the Panel: 

·         The lease agreement was initially a sub-lease agreement between the Applicant (Owner) and Edward Kerr; once the three month transfer period had completed then the Applicant (Owners) name would be transferred onto the lease agreement

·         The lease would then be valid for a ten year period

·         An account was given to the Applicant (Owner) to make the monthly payments

·         It was his understanding that Edward Kerr and the solicitor, Peter Daniels, had been in contact with the Free Holders and the lease agreement was going through the final legal process 

As the new lease agreement between the Applicant (Owner) and Edward Kerr was submitted as new evidence the Chair called a ten minute break to allow Members and the Police Officers to review the evidence.

The Police then put their questions to the applicants regarding their application and raised concern over the legality of the lease agreement; PC Chris Hill advised the applicants that one of the Free Holders of the building was sitting in the room and had no prior knowledge of the lease agreement between the Applicant (Owner) and Edward Kerr.

The Chair invited the Freeholder and her husband to speak at the table regarding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.