Richmond upon Thames Council's licensing sub-committee convened on Tuesday to consider an application for a new premises licence for Treviso Vinoteca, located at 92 Kew Road, Richmond. The application faced scrutiny, with the Richmond Society voicing concerns about potential public nuisance.
The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol, late night refreshment, and specified opening hours. The applicant, Treviso Garden Ltd, requested the following hours:
- Sale of alcohol (on and off the premises):
- Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 00:00
- Sunday 12:00 to 23:30
- Seasonal variations: New Year's Eve - alcohol to be sold from the end of the hours for sale of alcohol on New Year's Eve until the start of the hours for the sale of alcohol on New Year's Day.
- Hours premises are open to the public:
- Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 00:30
- Sunday 12:00 to 00:00
- Seasonal variations: New Year's Eve - premises may stay open from the end of the hours for licensable activities on New Year's Eve until the start of the hours for licensable activities on New Year's Day.
- Late night refreshment:
- Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 00:30
- Sunday 23:00 to 00:00
- Seasonal variations: New Year's Eve - late night refreshment to be sold from the end of the hours for sale of late night refreshment on New Year's Eve to 05.00am on New Year's Day.
The sub-committee, composed of Councillor Lesley Pollesche (Chair), Councillor Rob O`Carroll (Vice-Chair) and Councillor Tony Paterson, reviewed the application by Treviso Garden Ltd, which describes the premises as an Italian Restaurant & Bar
in the Public reports pack.
The Metropolitan Police initially raised concerns but withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to proposed conditions. These conditions include maintaining a CCTV system, using the premises primarily as a restaurant/cafe, selling alcohol for consumption off the premises only in sealed containers, and training staff in the Licensing Act 2003 and the licensing objectives.
However, the Richmond Society raised concerns regarding potential public nuisance stemming from the use of outdoor tables, particularly late at night. The society's concern is that the premises' outside area indicates there are facilities for drinking and eating at tables attached to the front wall of the premises. Use of these tables well into the night could cause a public nuisance if groups of people are allowed to congregate on the pavement. There are residential premises very nearby. The society also sought clarification on the licensing history of the premises and its relationship to 94 Kew Road. The Richmond Society also noted that they could find no trace of a licence registered to either 92 or 94 Kew Road on the council list of Licensed Premises.
In a letter included in the Supplementary agenda 1, Ginny Curry, Licensing Lead for the Richmond Society, stated:
I am still concerned about the very late hours requested for the New Year opening hours and feel that if these are allowed then there will be a precedent set. Other licence holders may then apply for similar hours. This is a residential area that has a number of closely located licensed premises.
The Richmond Society specifically raised concerns regarding the provision of Late-Night Refreshment on New Year's Day until 05:00, both indoors and outdoors.
The Public reports pack clarified that the premises at 92 Kew Road has a private forecourt, negating the need for a street trading licence.
The sub-committee was tasked with deciding whether to grant, partially grant, or refuse the application, with or without conditions.
The licensing sub-committee followed the procedure outlined in the Public reports pack, which included introductions, declarations of interest, presentations from the Licensing Officer and registered speakers, and a deliberation period before reaching a decision.