Agenda and minutes

The Panel is requested to elect a Chairperson for the hearing in line with rules agreed by the Licensing and Safety Committee. 

Councillor Howcroft-Scott was elected Chairperson for this meeting.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Jackson.

To agree that the Chairperson, after consultation with the other members of the Panel, sign the record of this meeting outside the meeting. 

It was agreed that the Chairperson, after consultation with the other members of the Panel, would sign the record of this meeting outside the meeting. 

The Chairperson will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he/she has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report. 

There were none. 

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct. Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 5.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

Councillor Vye left the meeting at this point as his attendance was no longer required.

To consider a new premises application for Virtual Golf Fairways in Gillingham following the receipt of a representation during the consultation period.

Discussion:

The Licensing Officer informed the Panel that the applicant had applied for a new Premises Licence at Virtual Golf Fairways, Unit 1 X1 Chatham Waters, Gillingham Gate Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4RS. All responsible authorities had been consulted in line with the Licensing Act 2003, and a representation had been received from a member of the public and no representations had been received from the responsible authorities.

The new premises licence application was for the sale by retail of alcohol (on site only) Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 22:00, Friday and Saturday 08:00 to 23:00 and Sunday 09:00 to 21:00.

The Panel were informed that emails between the member of public and applicant were included at appendix C. In addition to this the Panel agreed to consider a further email sent from the applicant to the member of public on 11 August, which was shared with Licensing on 17 August 2026.

The Chairperson invited the applicant to speak in support of their application.

The Panel were informed that the business was primarily an indoor golf simulator and leisure venue with a maximum capacity of 30 people who will attend for pre-booked golf sessions. The application included proportionate and appropriate measures to promote the licensing objectives including CCTV, Challenge 25, staff training, procedures to deal with intoxicated customers and customer management measures to minimise noise and disturbance.

The Panel were informed that constructive engagement had taken place with the member of public that had made a representation and that their concerns regarding noise, opening hours and the management of customers arriving and leaving had been responded to. There would not be any live music or DJ’s and any background music would be kept at an appropriate level.

The Chairperson noted the written objection that had been included at Appendix B to the report and that the objector was not in attendance.

The Panel queried who would be onsite to manage the premises, why they wanted to be licensed from 08:00 and how the premises would work in practice.

The applicant and representative explained that the applicant would be the manager on site the majority of the time and there would always be a senior member of staff present. The application was from 08:00 so that all guests would be able to have the same experience, and they did not anticipate many people drinking alcohol in the morning. Customers would attend for pre-booked hour long sessions and would not walk in like a bar or restaurant. Members would be able to bring one guest at an extra cost and would have to provide the name, address and contact details for the guest.

The Panel queried how staff would deal with nuisance or intoxicated customers and deny service if needed. The Panel were informed that all staff would be trained in dealing with intoxicated customers and refusing service and early intervention would take place if there appeared to be any issues. The premises would not sell shots, cocktails or have alcohol promotions.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 229.

It is recommended that the Panel exclude the press and public from the meeting during the decision-making process for the reasons set out in the report. 

Decision:

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during the Panel’s deliberations and decision making in respect of agenda item 6, because consideration of this matter in public would disclosure information falling within paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as specified in agenda item 7 Exclusion of the Press and Public) and, in all the circumstances of the case, the Panel considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.