To confirm the Chair of this Sub-Committee for the duration of this hearing.

Councillor Clarkson proposed, and Councillor Ottino seconded Councillor Lygo as Chair. 

Councillor Lygo was elected as Chair for the duration of the meeting.  

None.

None.

The hearing procedures are attached.

The Sub-Committee noted the relevant procedure. 

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Angels’ application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

The Chair invited all attendees to introduce themselves.? 

Mr. Opher, the applicant, and Mr. Baylis, the applicant’s legal advisor, were in attendance. Mr. Professor Richard Mayou was also in attendance as a representative of the St. John Street Area Residents’ Association who had objected to this application. 

The Chair outlined the procedure for the meeting.  

The Chair invited the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer to present the report.  

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer provided a comprehensive oral summary of written report. 

Mr. Baylis informed the Sub-Committee that Mr. Opher wished to withdraw his application in respect of Angels’ Bar; the Sub-Committee acknowledged this and agreed that no further discussion of this application was required since the application was withdrawn and did not call for their determination.  

The Legal Advisor reminded attendees that each application must be considered individually and on their own merits.  Therefore, the Sub-Committee would proceed to the net agenda item and consider the applicant’s next application according to the required procedure.   

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Raouls’ application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

Mr. Opher, the applicant, and Mr. Baylis, the applicant’s legal advisor, were in attendance. Mr. Professor Richard Mayou was also in attendance as a representative of the St. John Street Area Residents’ Association who had objected to this application.  

The Chair invited the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer to present the report.  

The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer provided a comprehensive summary of the report. Members understood that matters for consideration included: 

• Consideration of extension to the hours for licensable activities to 02.00 daily (currently 01.00 daily) 

The Sub-Committee were informed of the conditions agreed with Thames Valley Police, the lack of representation from any other responsible authority, and the representation in opposition to the application from St. John Street Area Residents’ Association. 

The Sub-Committee was reminded of its responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act when considering the fair balance between the interests of the applicant and the rights of local residents. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer emphasised that any decision must be necessary and proportionate to the objectives being pursued and must consider promotion of the licensing objectives. Finally, the options available to the Sub-Committee were outlined. 

The Chair invited questions from the Sub-Committee. 

Councillor Ottino sought to clarify the licence timings and how they would align with clear out times. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer explained that the Licensing Authority cannot restrict the hours of a business, only its licensable activities; for Raouls’ the Licensing Authority could therefore only restrict the hours permitted for the sale of alcohol. The Sub-Committee was however reminded that Mr. Opher had agreed to additional conditions with Thames Valley Police which required the premises to stop admitting customers one hour before the closure time.  

Councillor Ottino requested information on the opening and closing times of nearby premises. The Supervising Senior Licensing Officer noted that the Oxford Wine Cafe on the same road is currently licensed until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11pm on weeknights. Additionally, Love Jericho is licensed until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1am on other nights.  

Councillor Ottino sought to clarify that there had been no representations from other responsible authorities in relation to noise from Raouls’; the Supervising Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that there had not. 

The Chair invited Mr. Opher and Mr. Baylis to address the Sub-Committee. 

Mr. Baylis explained that they had decided to withdraw the previous application considering the representations from the residents’ association, and due to the proximity of both premises to each other. As such, the Sub-Committee learned that the applicant was verbally amending the application by removing a request for an additional hour on Sundays. As a result, the application would only request one additional hour only between Mondays and Saturdays. Mr. Baylis asserted that this demonstrated the premises owner to be a responsible operator and considerate of residents’ views.  

Mr. Baylis also provided some contextual information about Raouls’, including the refurbishment costs after it was bought in 2024. The Sub-Committee also heard that Mr. Opher  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 9 March 2026.

The Sub-Committee noted the date of the next meeting.