Rix’s Bombay Cafe Bar loses permit to hold New Year's party

A Coventry nightspot has lost its temporary permit to open until 4am for a New Year’s Day party after selling booze without a licence and complaints about noise nuisance.



Dr Gaurav Sharma, who runs Rix’s Bombay Cafe Bar, in Priory Place, city centre, submitted an application for a temporary event notice entertainment and to sell alcohol and late night refreshments from midnight until 4am.

But at a hearing on Thursday, Coun Rachel Lancaster, chair of the committee, said they have “no faith” in Dr Sharma’s ability to uphold the licensing objectives.

Environmental health officers received calls from nearby residents on separate occasions complaining about loud noise from the bar in the early hours of the morning.

And the officers were also served a glass of wine on December 13, despite the bar, which has been open since October, not having a premise licence or temporary event notice at that time.

Police also witnessed four people paying for alcohol at the bar during their visit on Friday December 14.

Mr Sharma had already served the maximum number of temporary event notices between November 7 and December 2 this year but he could have been eligible for a new one from the start of next year.

At the hearing, licensing officer PC Claire Marston said: “When I visited the premises with PC Joanne Bowes there were approximately 20 people all consuming alcohol. There were four people paying for drinks at the bar and the bar staff were witnessed using the till and issuing change back to the people.

“When we asked Mr Sharma about this he said it was a private party for his wife and that these were all his friends. When we spoke to the customers who paid for their drinks they had no idea who Mr Sharma was.”

PC Marston also told how there was no refusal or incident booklet, CCTV cameras which were not working and there were no staff training records.

“This showed police the true nature of the business and the fact that, even though the business had no licence, they still chose to sell alcohol.

Furthermore, even when (the unlicensed activity) was highlighted and witnessed the venue chose to lie,” PC Marston said.

Dr Sharma, who arrived at the hearing 50 minutes late, insisted that CCTV cameras were now working and said a noise limiting device was being installed yesterday at the urgent request of environmental health officers.

He added: “I’ve done what has been requested.

“The CCTV is working right now and there will be a noise limiting device fitted on the speaker system.

“I run four places in the UK and I abide to the law – I’ve never had any problems until this. I have lost £200,000 in two months from this business so you can understand the stress I’m going through.”

Flapdoodle, it is known in life as "Taking a Flier"

A city centre bar that operated without a licence has been refused permission to sell alcohol and hold entertainment.

Rix's Bar, in Priory Place, had its applications thrown out by Coventry City Council's Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee.

The venue - based in the former Dogma and Baby Buddha premises - initially opened in October last year without either an alcohol or entertainments licence.

Complaints from residents living above the venue brought the bar to the attention of Coventry City Council's licensing team.

They contacted the business running the venue - Riya Rani Ltd - informing them that they had to close but despite repeated warnings, the bar continued to open.

Riya Rani Ltd formally applied for both alcohol and entertainment licences on 25 January but the application was opposed by Coventry City Council's Licensing and Environmental Protection teams as well as West Midlands Police.

They raised concerns about noise disturbance that had been caused to residents of Priory Place, anti-social behaviour in and around the venue and the fact that the bar had previously been serving alcohol without a licence to do so.

The licence application was refused. Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committee Hearing and Chair Councillor Rachel Lancaster felt they had little choice.

She said: "The management was unable to offer any real reassurance that the venue would comply with the licensing objectives that Coventry City Council upholds.

"The evidence showed that the management were not in control and were not taking responsibility for events when they were trading without the proper licences.

"Coventry City Council has a clear role in saying that such behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated."

Riya Rani Ltd has until 15 February to appeal against the decision to Coventry Magistrates Court.