Agenda and minutes

Councillor McPherson was appointed as Chair for the meeting. 

All parties noted the procedure.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Support Team Leader presented the report and outlined the application.

Applicant’s Response to Officer Report

Mr Gattuso made the following points:

      i.          He had nothing to do with Roxanna or their planning permission issues. Mr Gattuso’s lawyer advised him not to sign the lease until work was complete. Mr and Mrs Gattuso would not pay any money to take over Taste of Sicily premises. This was a separate issue to the licensing procedure.

     ii.          Was unsure where he stood regarding the alcohol licence. Would consider offering wine and beer, but people could bring their own alcohol. The main proposal was to offer food in a family restaurant environment.

   iii.          No noise issues were expected for neighbours but Mr Gattuso was aware of historic complaints.

   iv.          Mr Gattuso used to have a restaurant and alcohol licence for eight years (in the past) so had experience of these.

Member Questions

Mr Gattuso made the following statements in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          He did not put in a request for an alcohol licence. He proposed to have a restaurant with garden outside for family use.

     ii.          Twenty four covers/customers were expected in the restaurant and sixteen outside.

   iii.          Mrs Gattuso and another associate ran the Sunset Lounge. This was a separate area to the proposed restaurant.

   iv.          The Sunset Lounge/Roxanna were the landlords and Mr Gattuso sublet from them. He wished to expand his business in future but only had the funds for a small premises at present.

    v.          He had changed social media details to show he was not closely linked to show he was not linked to Roxanna. Customer reviews on social media confirmed his premises were linked to the Sunset Lounge.

   vi.          He had CCTV provided by fixed units in the building and out the back. It was recorded and available as a thirty-one-day cycle.

 vii.          Restaurant staff would be Mr and Mrs Gattuso. He did not expect troublesome customers in a family environment restaurant that would not sell alcohol. If Mrs Gattuso experienced difficulties she could call Mr Gattuso who had eight years of restaurant experience. They did not have training records to certify training required as listed in the Officer’s report.

viii.          There was no refusal record in place at present for people who Mr/Mrs Gattuso refused to sell alcohol to. He used to have one but did not at present as he had no alcohol licence. He had never sold alcohol to anyone under eighteen in his previous restaurant.

   ix.          If people brought their own alcohol to his restaurant, Mr Gattuso would ask for ID before letting them drink it. Customers would be sent away if there was a concern about age. Mr and Mrs Gattuso knew how to deal with the situation. They would call the Police if there was trouble as they were the only two staff members.

Other Persons

Councillor Clough addressed the Committee as a Ward Councillor to express concerns about the site on behalf  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/19/Lic