Agenda and minutes

To confirm the procedure for the hearing (attached).

The procedures for the hearings were noted.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To hear and determine an opposed application for a new premises licence.

Participating in this item were: Sabrina Cader – the Solicitor representing the applicant, Jullian Buckman – the Area Manager for Sainsbury’s and Sergeant George – the Responsible Authority.

Ms Cader outlined the applicant’s case to the Sub-Committee: Ms Cader explained that the actual opening hours of the premises would be Sunday – Saturday, 07.00am – 23.00pm and not 00.00 – 24.00, as stated in the agenda report. Sainsbury’s wished the licenced hours to match the hours of trading. Ms Cader explained it would be inconvenient if they did not match because the alcohol displays would need to be closed off during un-licenced periods. The shop was expected to open in January 2012. 

Ms Cader had met Sgt George before the meeting. Sgt George had agreed with Sainsbury’s offer to invite the police to the shop, to agree the CCTV was to their satisfaction, before the opening day. The shop would be adopting the Think 25 policy and ensure that staff were trained.

Two additional conditions had been submitted by Sainsbury’s and agreed by Sgt George:

10. All cashiers shall be trained to record refusals of sales of alcohol in refusals register. 

11. All staff engaged or to be engaged in the sale of alcohol on the premises shall receive the following training in age restricted sales:

• Induction training which must be completed and documented prior to the sale of alcohol by the staff member.
• Refresher / reinforcement training at intervals of no more than 6 months.

Sainbury’s had agreed to work with the Police to resolve any issues that may arise once the licence was granted.

The following points were clarified through questions asked by the Sub-Committee:

Ms Cader could not agree on behalf of Sainsbury’s for licensable activity to commence at 8am rather than 7am.

All Premises Managers of Sainbury’s shops were posted on the shop floor. This allowed them to ensure that alcohol would not be served to underage customers.

A Designated Premises Supervisor had not yet been appointed.

All Shop Managers and Team Leaders would be made licence holders. There would be a minimum of three licence holders in the shop at any one time.

The Committee were assured that a senior member of staff would always be present, who could operate the CCTV and provide the police with footage, if necessary.

The premises would install shutters on spirit alcohol display units. In addition, Sainsbury’s shops chose to keep all spirits behind counters. They did not intend to fit shutters to fridges and gondola cabinets containing alcohol.

Sgt George outlined the case of the Responsible Authority: He was satisfied with Sainbury’s provision for CCTV and their agreement to follow Think 25 policy. The general consensus from the community regarding the hours of operation, for licensable activity, was that no alcohol should be sold before 8am. He believed that agreeing the licence from 7am would lead to an increase in premises applying for earlier licence times.

There was a problem across the borough with underage and vagrancy drinking. Parks were a common area for drinkers to congregate in and the majority of the borough’s parks were left unlocked at night. From his experience, opening from 7am would encourage alcohol dependent vagrants to visit the premises.

Sgt George felt confident that Sainsbury’s would work with him to address any issues that may arise.

Sgt George did not make a closing statement.

Sabrina Cader made a closing statement: She did not think there would be a risk associated with agreeing the licence start time of 7am. If a problem were to arise, Sainbury’s were happy to work with the responsible authority to reach a solution.

The Sub-Committee retired to closed session to consider the evidence.

The Sub-Committee Resolved that the opposed application for the new premises licence be Granted with the following conditions:

·         That licensable activity be restricted to 8am – 11pm, Sunday to Saturday.

·         That the conditions within the operating schedule and the conditions agreed with the Police be complied with (attached).

The Sub-Committee reached its decision based on the fact there was proper evidence of:

·                     Underage and vagrant drinking in parks near to the premises (especially Palewell);

·                     Underage drinking Borough wide;

·                     Vagrant drinking in Richmond and East Sheen;

·                     Close proximity between the premises and residential properties.