Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report on an application for the review of an existing premises licence for European Shop, 12 Hannam Court, Charles Street, Leicester.

Report attached. A copy of the associated documentation is attached for Members only. Further copies are available on the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Democratic Support on 4546358.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental services submitted a report that required the sub-committee to determine an application for a review of an existing premises licence for European Shop, 12 Hannam Court, Charles Street, Leicester.

The sub-committee noted that an application for a review of an existing premises licence had been received which necessitated that the application had to be considered by the sub-committee.

PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police, the Licensing Team Manager and the trainee Solicitor to the sub-committee was present.

Also present was a reporter from the Leicester Mercury.

It was noted that the Premises Licence Holder was not present at the meeting or represented.

The sub-committee agreed that it was in the public interest to proceed with the application for the review of an existing premises licence in the absence of the Premises Licence Holder on the basis that all parties had been given the opportunity to attend and no apologies or reasons for absence had been received.

Introductions were made and the procedure for the meeting was outlined to those present.

The Licensing Team Manager presented the report. Colour photographs of the exterior of the premises were circulated at the meeting. It was noted that an application for the review of an existing premises licence had been received from Leicestershire Police on 5 July 2016 on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance and concerns were raised that the premises was selling high strength alcohol products to the public who then caused crime and disorder, public nuisance and impacted on public safety in the local area.

PC Jon Webb outlined the reasons for the application for the review of an existing premises licence and answered questions from the sub-committee.

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

Prior to the sub-committee considering the application the trainee Solicitor to the sub-committee advised the sub-committee of the options available to them in making a 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, the sub-committee felt they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public interest and as such outweighed the public interest of their deliberation taking place with the parties represented present.

The Licensing Team Manager, the trainee Solicitor to the sub-committee, PC Jon Webb and the press then withdrew from the meeting.

The sub-committee then gave the application full and detailed consideration.

The trainee Solicitor to the sub-committee was then recalled to the hearing to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Licensing Team Manager, PC Jon Webb and the press then returned to the meeting.

The Chair informed all persons present that they had recalled the trainee Solicitor to the sub-committee for advice on the wording of their decision.

RESOLVED:

That the conditions of the existing premises licence for European Shop, 12 Hannam Court, Charles Street, Leicester LE1 3FT be modified to add the condition requested by the Police as follows:

1. The licence holder shall ensure that no beers, lagers, ciders or perrys are sold where the alcohol by volume (ABV) exceeds 5.5%

The sub-committee commented that they had decided that the condition asked for by the police should be adhered to and added to the licence with immediate effect.

However the sub-committee also felt this was a very serious matter and if the licence holder were to breach the condition it could result in the licence being revoked.