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April 2015 Licence Application

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Summary of the Academicals Licence Applications

Note:  The Licensing Board do not allow anyone to take copies of the applications so the following summary is based on brief notes taken during a meeting with the Licensing Officer and cannot be guaranteed as 100% accurate.  Please telephone the Officer on 0131 529 4208  to see the application and the associated Operating and Layout Plans. 

 

Application  288952  “Multi function sporting facility and stand situated at raeburn place, Edinburgh, to include:- Clubhouse, Function Suites, Cafe, Restaurant, Gym, Museum, Cinema, Theatre and all associated activities”  (N.B.  this is as described on the form)

On Sales  9.0 a.m – 1.00 a.m.  (plus seasonal variation till 3.00 a.m for Christmas and New Year  and the month of the Festival)

Off Sales  10.00a.m. – 10 p.m.  (a large Off Sales counter is shown on the layout plan)

A very comprehensive list of activities is given on the Operating Plan, with only “adult entertainment” missing, all to be provided within and outwith core hours (i.e. the hours when alcohol can be sold). This list is not comprehensive:

  • Conference facilities
  • Restaurant facilities
  • Bar meals
  • Social functions
  • Weddings, funerals,
  • birthdays, retirements
  • Club or other group
  • meetings etc.
  • Entertainment including
  • Recorded music
  • Live performances
  • Dance facilities
  • Theatre
  • Films
  • Gaming
  • Indoor/outdoor sports
  • Televised sport
  • Outdoor drinking in designated areas.
  • Capacity – 6000

The layout plan shows some changes from the planning application.  Notably, the row of sponsors boxes which was on the Portgower Place frontage is now the Club Bar, larger function suites on the Comely Bank  frontage have replaced the club bar, the café has become larger and there is a large off sales counter (no sponsors boxes).

 

Application – 288884  Units 4 and 5  “Restaurant Facility”
  • Hours   11.0 a.m. – 1.00 a.m.  Plus seasonal variation as above till 3.00 a.m.
  • On Sales only
  • Also for activities like corporate events etc
  • The forecourt onto Comely Bank Road is included in the “licensed footprint”  i.e.  outdoor dining and drinking.
  • Capacity  – 220 people

 

 Application – 288892  Units 6, 7 and 8  “Retail premises consisting of general grocery sales and off sales”
  • This appears to be just a bit smaller than Scotmid.
  • The off sales area is 45  metres of shelving.  It looks like about 20% – 25% of the store but that may be misleading.
  • Standard hours 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Events like food tasting and promotions

 

Application 288875 – Unit 9  “Restaurant/ice cream parlour”
  • This is the unit which wraps around the west end of the building almost at the junction with North Park Terrace.
  • On sales.
  • 11.00 a.m – midnight, with seasonal variation as above till 3.00 a.m.
  • Dining from 8.00 a.m.  (for the breakfast trade)
  • Capacity – 144 people
  • Restaurant
  • Bar meals
  • Live music
  • Functions and events
  • The forecourt onto Comely Bank Road is included in the “licensed footprint”  i.e.  outdoor dining and drinking.

 

 

Who will decide the Applications?

The Licensing Board is an “independent” body of Councillors with Eric Milligan as Convenor.  He gave very strong support to the Planning Application and as a member of the Planning Committee voted in favour. The Board is due to consider the applications on Monday 27 April from 9.30.  Objectors will be invited to the meeting.  We are trying to get the applications deferred but at the time of writing the deadline for comments is Monday 13 April.

These applications are described as “provisional” but if approved by the Board they will establish the  principle and could be confirmed at a later date by the Clerk to the Board without a public hearing.

If you have questions the Licensing Board staff can be called on: 0131 529 4208 (Tracey McLean).

What you should do

Object in writing to the Licensing Board before 13 April, quoting the Application number and giving your reasons. Please object to all the applications. You may select from the list below. It is based on the Board’s Statement of Policy (see here).  Use your own words if possible.

1.  Multi-function facility and stand – Licence Application Ref: 288952

It will be against the Licensing Board Policy because

  • The large size amounts to over provision in itself.
  • It will inevitably mean noise and disturbance on the streets as people arrive and leave.
  • Fouling of doorways and private gardens because there are no public toilets nearby.
  • The premises are surrounded on 3 sides by residential property.

It does not comply with Licensing Objective 3 – Preventing Public Nuisance because:

  • It will not maintain and protect the amenity of residents.
  • Residents cannot be protected from the noise of external entertainment, music  and drinking
  • The hours extend into the night in a residential area.
  • The capacity of 6000 is too high.  Residential amenity will be affected.
  • There are only 2 bus services in the evening and no night bus.
  • No on-site parking and on-street parking is usually at capacity.
  • Vehicles picking up and dropping off clients will cause traffic congestion.

It does not comply with Licensing Objective 5 – Protecting Children from Harm because:

  • There will be simultaneous promotion of children’s rugby and alcohol.
  • Children will have access to all the areas where alcohol is being consumed.
  • Management will not be able to keep children away from the bar areas.

It does not comply with Licensing Objective 4 – Protecting & Improving Public Health because:

  • This huge licenced premises will promote the drinking of alcohol and make it easier to drink.
  • It will make a strong association in people’s minds between sport and drinking alcohol.
  • Off-sales here are contrary to Licensing Board Policy 9.6.
  • There are already at least 6 off-sales premises in the vicinity.

2.  Restaurant (retail units 4-5)  Licence Application Ref: 288884

It does not comply with licensing objective 3 – preventing public nuisance because:

  • It will not maintain and protect the amenity of residents.
  • Residents cannot be protected from the noise of external dining  and drinking
  • The hours extend into the night in a residential area. It will inevitably mean noise and disturbance on the streets as people leave.
  • Fouling of doorways and private gardens because there are no public toilets nearby.
  • The premises are surrounded on 3 sides by residential property.
  • The areas for outside drinking and dining do not have planning permission.

3.  Off sales and grocery  (retail units 6, 7 and 8)  45m of shelving for alcohol. Licence Application Ref: 288892

  • There are already 6 off-sales outlets in the vicinity and this will amount to over provision.
  • The Board have said they are concerned at the high number of off-sales.

4.  Restaurant/ice cream parlour (retail unit 9) at the North Park Terrace end. Licence Application Ref: 288875

It does not comply with licensing objective 3 – preventing public nuisance because:

  • It will not maintain and protect the amenity of residents.
  • Residents cannot be protected from the noise of external dining, drinking and events
  • The hours extend into the night in a residential area. It will inevitably mean noise and disturbance on the streets as people leave.
  • Fouling of doorways and private gardens because there are no public toilets nearby.

How To Send Your Objection

Your objection must be in writing and signed (unless it is emailed).

  • Please also write to the Scotsman and Evening News
  • Please demonstrate outside the Board meeting and then attend the meeting (it will be possible to speak to the Board if you wish).