Agenda and minutes

Councillor McPherson was appointed as Chair for the meeting.

 

Name	Agenda Item	Reason
Cllr Bick	25/15/LicSub	Declared a non-prejudicial interest as the Ward Councillor for Market, where the application was located. Confirmed that discretion remained unfettered.

 

All parties noted the procedure. 

 

The Licensing Officer presented their report.

 

In response to questions from the sub committee, the Licensing Officer stated that:

      i.          The standard conditions had been approved by Environmental Health (Cambridge City Council), with no concerns raised.

     ii.          No representations had been received from the Police.

   iii.          No objections had been submitted by any other statutory consultees.

 

As the applicant and their representative could not be present, additional documentation had been submitted by the Applicant’s Representative which had been published at the following link:

 

Agenda for Licensing Hearing Panel (Licensing 2003 Act) Sub Committee on Monday, 29th September, 2025, 12.00 pm - Cambridge Council

 

For ease, the additional submission of the text from the applicant has been copied below:

 

We have read the representation from Ms Wendy Boddy and fully understand the concerns raised about potential disturbance. We wish to reassure the Sub-Committee and our neighbours that our intention is modest and carefully controlled: we simply wish to offer a complimentary drink to adult clients while they are receiving a hair treatment, as a courtesy. We do not seek to operate a bar.

To address the specific points:

•          One-drink limit: Each client would be limited to a single complimentary drink (for example a small glass of wine/Prosecco or a small, bottled beer) while seated for their appointment.

•          Hours: We are willing to accept a condition that alcohol will not be supplied before 12:00 (midday), and only during our normal hours to clients with appointments. We do not intend to serve alcohol from 09:00.

•          No off-sales: Alcohol will only be consumed on the premises by clients receiving a service.

•          Staff: No member of staff will consume alcohol whilst on duty as per their contract.

•          Noise and public nuisance: Music will be kept at background level. Our front door will remain closed except for entry and exit. There will be no drinking outside the salon and no outdoor seating. Staff will take breaks inside and we will monitor noise at all times.

•          Capacity and character: We are a small, appointment-only salon. We do not host parties or events and have no intention of changing the nature of the business.

•          Prevention of crime and disorder / protection of children: We will operate Challenge 25, maintain refusals and incident logs, refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, and provide staff training on age verification and the Licensing Objectives. We are content to maintain suitable CCTV covering customer areas if considered appropriate.

•          Community liaison: We will display a notice with management contact details and will respond promptly to any concerns from neighbours.

 

We are committed to being considerate neighbours. If the Sub-Committee considers additional conditions appropriate, such as the one-drink cap, a start time no earlier than 12:00, no consumption outside, background-level music only, and maintaining refusals/incident logs, we are willing to accept them.

 

Thank you for considering our application. We hope this reassures the Sub-Committee and our neighbours that our proposal is limited, well-managed, and aligned with the licensing objectives.

 

In response to the application and additional document, Members of the Sub Committee said the following:

                i.          The additional submission had addressed concerns that would have been raised with the applicant if present.

               ii.          The additional submission improved the original application.

             iii.          Recommended that the points raised in the additional submission be considered for inclusion as conditions, should the application be granted.

             iv.          Welcomed that a limit has been placed on the amount of alcohol to be served.

              v.          Noted and welcomed the change to the alcohol service start time.

             vi.          Believed that the additional submission had addressed the concerns of the complainant.

           vii.          Recommended an additional condition that all staff involved in the sale of alcohol must receive training in age verification procedures, the responsible sale of alcohol, and the promotion of the four licensing objectives. This training must be completed prior to any individual commencing the sale or service of alcohol.

 

Summing Up

 

The Licensing Officer referred to the Officer’s report, paragraph 5.2.

Members should take such steps that they consider are necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

 

The sub committee may resolve:

i.    To grant the licence subject to the mandatory conditions and those conditions offered by the applicant which may be modified to such extent as the authority considers necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

 ii. To exclude from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates.

iii. To refuse to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor.

iv. To reject the application. Members must give reasons for their decision.

 

The Decision

 

Decision Grant with Modified Hours and Conditions.

The Sub-Committee grants the licence but modifies the permitted hours to begin 12:00 daily to address resident concern about early alcohol availability.

 

Conditions: The Members imposed Conditions offered by the Applicant in their email dated 26 September 2025 and which are annexed and incorporated into this Record of Decision. The Members particularly highlighted that alcohol sales should not start before 12:00 noon on any day.

 

Reasons:

This modification proportionately addresses nuisance risk linked to early hours.

Concerns are met while preserving the applicant’s core business model. The applicant has rebutted the presumption that the applicant would add to the cumulative impact or undermine the licensing objectives.

The applicant commits to being a considerate neighbour and there is no contrary evidence that undermines this from the history of the business to date. This is relevant to concerns over noise nuisance.

 

Decision accords with SLP sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and Guidance paras 1.17, 14.11, 14.44.

 

Appendix A – Conditions

Members determined the following conditions are appropriate and proportionate to promote the licensing objectives in light of the representation received.

 

1.    Alcohol ancillary to services
Alcohol shall only be supplied to customers receiving hairdressing or other salon services on the premises. Each client is limited to a single complimentary drink while seated for their appointment.

2.    Limitation on morning sales
No alcohol shall be supplied before 12:00 midday and only during our normal hours to clients with appointments. 

3.    Restriction on staff consumption
Staff shall not consume alcohol on the premises during working hours.

4.    No off sales of alcohol

 

5. Noise management
   (a) Doors and windows shall remain closed (save for access and egress) whenever amplified music is played.
   (b) Staff shall take reasonable steps to prevent noise or disturbance to neighbours during breaks taken outside the premises.
6. Training
   All existing staff involved in the sale of alcohol shall receive training on age verification and the responsible sale of alcohol and the promotion of the licensing objectives, prior to commencement of alcohol sales.
7. The Applicant will operate Challenge 25, maintain refusals and incident logs, refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, and provide staff training on age verification. Records of such training and refusal logs shall be kept and made available for inspection by an authorised officer of the Licensing Authority or Police.
8. Community liaison: The Applicant will display a notice with management contact details and will respond promptly to any concerns from neighbours.