Agenda and minutes

To confirm the procedure for the hearing - attached.

The procedure was noted.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 25 April 2012 and 13 June 2012 – attached.

The minutes of the meetings held on 25 April 2012 and 13 June 2012 were received and approved and the Chairman was authorised to sign them.

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

Report of the Head of Consumer Protection attached.

Participating in this item was:

PardeepKaur Khaneja – applicant

S. Panchal – Licensing Consultant on behalf of the applicant

PawanKahai – interested party

Rory Thorp – interested party

Mr Panchal introduced the application.  He said it was not in a cumulative impact zone and various measures had been taken to promote the four licensing objectives, such as staff training and conditions.  The various conditions being offered were confirmed to the sub-committee, and although it was noted that the licence was being sought until midnight, the applicant was willing to limit the sale of alcohol until 11.30pm.

Following questions, it was noted that the applicant was to be the designated premises supervisor although her husband was being trained to hold a personal licence.  The number and location of security cameras was also confirmed.

Mr Kahai said that there were already a number of licensed premises in the area, which meant that if granted, one quarter of the shops in this parade would be off-licenses.  He said that there were issues with underage drinking in the area, along with antisocial behaviour.  Because of this, Mr Kahai felt that allowing alcohol sales until midnight would be a detriment to the area with late night drinkers being attracted to it.

It was noted that all other local licensed premises in the area were allowed to sell alcohol until 11.00pm, although it was suggested that in reality, they often closed around 10.00pm.  The applicant confirmed that if the shop was opening outside of licensed hours, they would install lockable shutters to secure any alcohol.

Mr Thorp said that opening hours up to midnight was a concern to him and he supported what Mr Kahai had previously said.  He added that shops in the area tended to close before licensed hours to avoid trouble from patrons leaving the nearby pub.

The applicant stated that there would always be three staff present at weekends, with at least two during the week.

In closing, the interested parties reiterated their objections.

Mr Panchal said that the licence should be granted because the licensing objectives were being promoted, adding that the sub-committee could not consider commercial concerns.

RESOLVED that the licence be granted for the following reasons:

“The Licensing Sub-Committee considered that it was appropriate and proportionate to impose an earlier closing time for the Licensable Activity of Sale by Retail of Alcohol and opening hours as there was a considerable possibility of customers leaving other licensed premises nearby resorting to this shop to source alcohol, with the potential for public nuisance to occur in and around the premises or on their way home with alcohol.

The other shops in close proximity to the premises were all premises that closed at 23.00 each evening, and to grant different hours to one shop, would result in an increase in public nuisance with customers going to the one still open with the likelihood of other premises applying to open later too in what is a predominantly residential area.”