View report page

85
Any person applying for registration of premises or for renewal of
registration as a night cafe must pay to the Council a fee of £1 and give
public notice in the prescribed manner drawing attention to the right of
members of the public to object to the registration.
The Council, before making a decision as to registration or the
renewal of registration have to consider, amongst other things, the
structural suitability of and the facilities available at the premises,
the manner in which the night cafe is conducted and the possibility of
nuisance being caused to neighbours late at night. If the Council are
not satisfied about any of these matters they may refuse to register or
renew registration of the premises. he Council also has power when
registering the premises or renewing registration to impose conditions
as to precautions to be taken for the safety of person using the premises,
as to the conduct of the premises and as to the hours at night during
which the night cafe may be kept open.
The Council may, at any time revoke the registration if any such
conditions imposed therein are broken and the person responsible for the
breach may be prosecuted.
There are rights of appeal to the Courts from the decision of the
Council in respect of an application for registration.
It is also an offence under the Act for a night cafe to be
conducted in a disorderly manner or for certain specified drugs to be
sold, supplied or distributed on the premises.
Seventy-three applications for registration were received, but of these
only fourty-four were from premises eligible for registration. Eleven
applications were still under consideration at the end of the year. Four
applications were refused by the Council.
Kensington Police reported four unregistered premises which were
being used as night cafes after 11.00 p.m., and the Council prosecuted
the proprietors, all were found guilty and the total of the fines amounted
to £115.
REFRESHMENT HOUSES ACTS, 1860-1967
Under the Refreshment Houses Act 1860-1967, a refreshment house
licence is required for any shop or ocher premises not licensed for the
sale of intoxicating liquor, but which is kept open for public refreshment
or resort at any time between 10.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m. except premises
where the provisions of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act,
1968-Part VIII apply.
A licence is needed in respect of refreshment rooms which form part
of the premises used for public entertainment and resort, for example,
Cinemas, Skating Rinks, etc., (if kept open for public refreshment during
the hours mentioned).
Licences commence on 1st April and expire one year later. The fee
is £l 1s Od. In the case of a first application, licences are issuable
from 1st July (fee 15s 9d) from 1st October (fee 10s 6d) and 1st January
(fee 5s 3d.)