"This conviction shows how important it is for businesses to have the right licences for their premises."
Leeds City Council entertainment licensing officers and West Yorkshire Police have visited the restaurant Barakas on four different occasions over the past two years, and on each occasion the premises was being used for unauthorised licensable activities such as the playing of recorded music, even with the prior warnings.
After the first inspection on 25 September 2008 the defendant attended council offices and obtained a premises licence application pack, but to date, an application for a premises licence authorising regulated entertainment has still not been made to the Council's Entertainment Licensing Section.
Mr Ahmed was cautioned by council officers on a second visit in August 2009 and advised that licensable activities cease until such time as a Premises Licence had been granted or Temporary Event Notice issued.
On 20th October 2009 officers from Entertainment Licensing visited the premises again to conduct a follow-up check. The provision of facilities for regulated entertainment was being provided without the benefit of a Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice. The owner was verbally and physically obstructive towards a council licensing enforcement officer. He was cautioned and advised to cease all licensable activities until such time as a Premises Licence had been granted or Temporary Event Notice served.
John King comments: Restaurant owner convicted for 'The provision of facilities for regulated entertainment was being provided without the benefit of a Premises Licence or Temporary Event Notice'
This makes a mockery of DCMS claims that it is possible t...o host entertainment without authorisation for provision of entertainment facilities.