Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report on an application for the review of an existing premises licence for Chrystal News, 10 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 Chrystal News, 10 Hannam Court, Charles Street, Leicester LE1 3FS.

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.

Mr N Shah (junior) on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder and PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police were present. Also present was the Licensing Team Manager and the trainee Solicitor to the sub-committee.

Also present was a reporter from the Leicester Mercury.

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 which was made on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. Concerns were raised that the premises were 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 informed the sub-committee of the conditions that the Leicestershire Police would seek to be added to the existing licence. PC Jon Webb answered questions from the sub-committee.

Mr N Shah on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder was then given the opportunity to respond to the application for the review of the licence and answered questions from the sub-committee.

All parties 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 and 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, Mr N Shah on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder, 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, Mr N Shah on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder, 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 Chrystal News, 10 Hannam Court, Charles Street, Leicester LE1 3FS be modified to add the 6 conditions 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%

2.     The licence holder shall ensure that CCTV is installed following advice from Leicestershire Police and maintained in accordance with the Information Commissioners Codes of Practice for CCTV. Recordings shall be maintained at all times the premises are open to the public and these images shall be retained for a minimum of 30 days

3.     The licence holder will ensure that there is always a member of staff on the premises whilst it is open to the public, who is trained to operate and provide images from the CCTV system to all Responsible Authorities. Any request for CCTV outside these times will be made available within 48 hours of the request being made

4.     The licence holder shall ensure a refusal log is kept on the premises and all refusals shall be recorded. The refusal log shall be retained for 12 months and made available to Responsible Authorities on request. The refusal log shall be checked, signed and dated on a weekly basis by the designated premises supervisor or premises licence holder

5.     The supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises be reduced to start from 8am (0800hrs) until 10pm (2200hrs) Monday to Sunday

6.     The licence holder shall ensure that any alcohol on display outside licensable times is not accessible to customers attending the premises and that signs are clearly displayed in prominent positions informing customers the times that alcohol is available for sale.

The sub-committee commented that after listening to all sides they had come to this decision as they had a duty to protect all citizens in the city and ensure that the licensing objectives were upheld. The sub-committee decided that all conditions 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 any of these conditions it could result in the licence being revoked.