Agenda and minutes

Councillor Barton was appointed as Chair.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report for an application for a review of an existing premises licence for Victoria News and Booze, 81 Howard Road, Leicester.

Members of the Sub-Committee were informed that written representations, together with an application to transfer the Premises Licence to Luckveer Kaur Digpal had been received very late on the day before the hearing.

Pursuant to Regulation18 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, the Applicant requesting the review was asked to consider whether they wished to consent to the written representations and documents to be submitted at the hearing or to request an adjournment if further time was needed to consider the written representations and documents.

All parties agreed that the hearing should go ahead and to that end Mr Robert Sutherland, whilst reserving his legal position, agreed to make oral representations instead of insisting on the written material being submitted.

Councillor Barton, as Chair led on introductions and outlined the procedure the hearing would follow.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report on an application for a review of an existing premises licence for Victoria News and Booze, 81 Howard Road, Leicester.

Noel Cazley, was present having made representations on behalf of Trading Standards. PC Derek Bausor from Leicestershire Police was present. Also in attendance were the premises licence holder Ms Paramjeet Kaur, her daughter-in-law Ms Luckveer Digpal, and her licensing agent Mr Robert Sutherland, solicitor from RDSLAW Ltd were present. Also present were the Team Manager (Regulatory Services), the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee, and two observers from Trading Standards.

The Team Manager (Regulatory Services) presented the report and outlined details of the application.

A representation was received on 18 December 2025 from Leicestershire Police. The representation related to the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm. Leicester Police were concerned that the premises had repeated failures to prevent underage sales, possession and sale of illegal vape and tobacco products, lack of staff training and poor management.

A representation was received on 27 November 2025 from a member of the public. This was a positive representation praising the premises and staff.

Mr Cazley,Trading Standards Officer, was given the opportunity to outline the details of their review application and answered questions from Members.

PC Bausor, Police Constable for Leicestershire Police, was given the opportunity to outline the details of their evidence and answered questions from Members.

Mr Sutherland and Ms Digpal were given the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee and answered questions from the Members and officers.

All parties present were then given the opportunity to sum up their positions and make any final comments.

The Sub-Committee received legal advice from the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee in the presence of all those present and were advised of the options available to them in making their decision. The Sub-Committee were also advised of the relevant policy and statutory guidance that needed to be taken into account when making their decision.

In reaching their decision, Members felt they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

With there being no further business, the meeting closed at 2:08pm.