Eagle eyed pedestrians using Cottis Lane will have spotted a small notice outside Club 195. It advertises the fact that the club is applying for a new licence and that ‘Interested Parties’ can comment on the application by writing to the district council. (Click on the photo to read the full text.)

The district council revoked Club 195’s licence in October because of concerns about crime and disorder. The closure seems to have led to a reduction in late night noise, litter and disorder in the middle of Epping and has been generally welcomed by most (but not all) residents I have spoken to.

The new application is for:

the provision of regulated entertainment and late night refreshment at the premises on Monday to Saturday from 8 am until 2 am and an additional one hour on notable days.

I assume ‘notable days’ to mean special occasions such as New Years Eve. The previous licence allowed the club to open seven days a week from 11 am until 4 am. The main differences are therefore:

• earlier opening
• earlier closing (but still after the end of public transport), and
• no opening on Sundays.

Local residents who want to comment on the application (and who live or work close enough to Cottis Lane to be affected) should write to Licensing Section, Epping Forest DC, Civic Offices, Epping, CM16 4BZ before 5.15 pm on Tuesday 26 January (or possibly before Monday 1 February depending on who you talk to. I am double checking the correct deadline).

As I explained here the law is quite strict about the issues that the Licensing Committee can take into account when it considers the application so it is worth reading the council’s Licensing Policy [PDF] to make sure your representation is relevant. The Department for Culture Media and Sport also offers guidance for residents here.

You can oppose or support the application, or suggest that it should only be permitted to open if certain relevant conditions are met. Councillors can make representations on behalf of residents. If this would be helpful, or you need more information, please get in touch with me (email: jon.whitehouse@eflibdems.org.uk).

The Licensing Committee is due to consider the application at a meeting in late February or early March. Co-incidentally this is also when the Magistrates’ Court is expected to hear Club 195’s appeal against the revocation of their old notice.