1st February 2020
Objection to the Alcohol Licence Application
The Hawks Nest: 190 Railway Arches Shepherds Bush Market London W12 8DF
Hammersmith & Fulham Council Reference - 2019/02017/LAPR
Case Officer - Sophia Barrett
Applicant - Mr Frazer Timmerman
URL of application:
https://public-access.lbhf.gov.uk/online-applications/licencingApplicationDetails.do?keyVal=Q1L1RCBIKQE00&activeTab=summary
Dear Shepherd’s Bush Market Community & Supporters,
The SBMTA previously raised concern in January 2020 regarding a Hammersmith & Fulham Council Application Notice for a licence for the sale of alcohol, seven days a week, operating late into the night, for Arch 190 in Shepherd’s Bush Market and ‘Market Yard’ (which is an area of land, west of the Shepherd’s Bush Market road, located behind Arches 186 to 191).
Since then, the applicant (Mr. Frazer Timmerman) has chosen to revise his application, apparently seeking even later operating hours for the sale of alcohol, food and the playing of amplified music and live music.
The SBMTA understands that the Hammersmith & Fulham Council will welcome comments of objection regarding this application from anyone by either writing to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Town Hall, King Street, London W6 9JU or sending an email to licensing@lbhf.gov.ukhowever, objections must be submitted before 4 PM on Wednesday 5th February 2020.
The application is for: -
§ The supply of alcohol on the premises from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 00:00.
§ The playing of amplified music from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 00:00.
§ The Performance of live music from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 00:00.
§ Trading hours for Arch 190 from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 00:30
§ Trading hours for the outdoor area named Market Yard from 12:00 to 22:30
The application claims that as the kitchen will be in the outdoor space, the applicant does not envisage having an extraction fan system and therefore all fumes will be dispersed directly into the atmosphere.
The Shepherd’s Bush Market Community are most concerned about this application and subsequently many may choose to send an objection to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council and include the followings 10 reasons: -
1) Saturation Zone For Licensed Premises
The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council took the important step (in the view of local residents and the market community), some years ago to designate the Shepherds Bush Town Centre as a Saturation Zone within its Cumulative Impact Policy, because of the overload of alcohol related premises within the Town Centre, and the impact of the alcohol economy on the key factors.
The essence of the Policy indicates that there should be no increase in the number of premises serving Alcohol. (i.e. a new outlet should be one that was replacing an existing outlet).
It is viewed that this policy alone should command the refusal of this licensing application.
2) Operators of The Alcohol Outlet
Operators of alcohol & entertainment premises generally have little control over the behaviour of patrons on the public highway or public areas surrounding their premises, bars & clubs may have requirements for door supervisors, who often have minimum effect on problematic crowds.
As the applicant that may wish to distribute alcohol within Market Yard or Arch 190, the patrons could purchase alcohol and wonder beyond the alcohol distributor’s ability to control or monitor their customers.
There is further concern that customers from Arch 190 and the Market Yard purchasing alcohol may wander still drinking alcohol or drunk into Shepherd’s Bush Market or onto the Goldhawk Road. This, in turn, may cause additional negative repercussions, disturbance, and detriment to surrounding businesses and locals.
There is considerable concern regarding the efficiency of the security/door supervisors, and the management of the Hawks Nest. It should be noted that the management of Shepherd’s Bush Market known as U+I Group Plc. may only be present up until 4 PM from Monday to Saturday, and may be completely absent from the market throughout the evening into the night every evening and absent all day on Sundays.
3) Police Patrols
It is felt that the Police in the Shepherd’s Bush Area perform an excellent service, yet their resources may be spread thinner than they might like, and subsequently, police patrols through the Goldhawk Road, New Shepherd’s Bush Market and Shepherd’s Bush Market are less frequent than one would hope for. There is logical concern that the sale of alcohol within Shepherd’s Bush Market may place further compromise on Police Services time.
The Goldhawk Road area is already viewed as a difficult and problematic location with criminal and antisocial behaviour and this application should be refused on the potential repercussion that may arise.
4) Noise and Nuisance
It is felt that residents have enough experience of noise and nuisance of crowds, whether on foot or using cars, congregating by licensed premises and night cafes around Shepherds Bush Green, to recognize that granting of an entertainment and alcohol licence to Arch 190 and the open area named Market Yard, may present further upset to both residential neighbours and the valued market traders within Shepherd’s Bush Market.
5) Shepherd’s Bush Market Opening Hours
The Market Opening Hours of Shepherd’s Bush Market is stated within the leases as 0630 hours to 1900 hours Monday to Saturday. Outside of these hours Shepherd’s Bush Market should be securely locked providing no entrance or exit. Failure to abide by this Market Opening Hours may be viewed as a breach of covenant by the landlord.
The operation of Arch 190 and Market Yard beyond 1900 Hours (7PM) seven days a week may increase the potential risk of crime, vandalism, and fire to the Shepherd’s Bush Market area.
The operation of Arch 190 and Market Yard beyond 1900 Hours (7PM) seven days a week may unfairly compromise the Shepherd’s Bush Market services and inflate the Service Charge Expenditure, causing financial detriment to the Shepherd’s Bush Market businesses.
6) Fire & Crime Procedures
The landlord of Shepherd’s Bush Market known as Orion Shepherd’s Bush Market Ltd. and their managing agent, known as U+I Group Plc.,has sought dependence on the market traders to implement fire and emergency procedures, as well as requesting for traders to notify the police in the event of criminal activities, however, the absence of the market traders outside of the trading hours of 6.30 AM to 7 PM Monday to Saturday, may leave a deficiency or lacking in preventative measures. Subsequently, threat of fire, emergency or criminal occurrences may be more likely if Shepherd’s Bush Market is not securely locked when the majority of the traders are not trading, or/and if Arch 190 and the Market Yard are permitted to operate outside of the Market Opening Hours of 0630 Hours to 1900 Hours, Monday to Saturday.
7) Parking
The 106 Year Old Shepherds Bush Market, and New Shepherd’s Bush Market (West of Shepherd’s Bush Market) has no dedicated car parking.
Any customers using cars or motorcycles must park in neighbouring streets, notably within Zone G, including Pennard Road and Lime Grove.
Increased activity in the latter part of the day and night may cause a nuisance to residents with valid local Zone G parking permits, displacing them, and adding to noise and pollution by the frequent movement of additional vehicles into neighbouring streets.
Additional vehicles may represent an obstruction to the free flow of traffic.
An increase in vehicle movement, particularly the starting and stopping of cars, with car radio systems blaring (especially in warmer weather when car drivers tend to drive or sit with windows open) will cause a demonstrable adverse impact on local
residential premises.
8) Litter
Litter associated with entertainment premises is a major issue around Shepherds Bush, where now we see frequent signs of pest infestation (including mice, rats, pigeons, cockroaches & urban foxes).
Operators of drink and food premises, may generally have no control over how patrons dispose of litter once they leave the trader’s outlet, and generally may not care,
as they consider street litter a council problem, with the net result that council tax- paying residents are subsidizing an alcohol business by the council collecting its discarded packaging, bottles, cans and litter.
9) The Protection Of Children From Harm
There may be a risk that younger persons, and minors, will be part of groups of patrons attracted to Arch 190 and the Market Yard premises, and
influenced by lifestyle factors exhibited by older patrons.
Minors can be exposed to unwelcome influences, from drinking, smoking, possibly drugs, and the risk of gang culture of younger groups that gravitate to the location.
Any lack of management at all times from the operator of the business may raise the concern of the monitoring of underage drinking.
10) Protection For The Shepherd’s Bush Market Character and its Visitors
Public safety becomes an issue if innocent customers visiting Shepherd’s Bush Market or market traders feel intimidated by patrons due to drinking alcohol over lengthy trading hours.
High noise pollution levels emitting from Arch 190 and Market Yard, crowds conjugating at entrances, and increased disorder may attract thieves, pickpockets, shoplifters, and beggars. All of these elements may be damaging to the Shepherd’s Bush Market area and could cause great unease particularly for the very young and elderly.
The businesses of Shepherd’s Bush Market have worked tirelessly over the decades to create Shepherd’s Bush Market into a family destination, welcoming all ages, cultures, and ethnicities.
The traditional unique character of Shepherd’s Bush Market is something that should be protected and cared for.
The proposal to incite the consumption of alcohol through the day and into the late hours of the evening will not contribute to the betterment of the character of the area and may deter valued Shepherd’s Bush Market customers from visiting, causing a negative effect on the local area.