Agenda and minutes

Councillor Pickering 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.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report for an application under the Gambling Act 2005 for a new premises licence for BoyleSports, 259b Narborough Road, Leicester.

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

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report for an application for a new Betting Premises Licence for BoyleSports, 259b Narborough Road, Leicester.

The applicant was BoyleSports (UK) Limited. Its representative Mr Paddy Whur, solicitor from Woods Whur, Ms Sophia Anstey, also from Woods Whur, and Mr David Wheeler, Head of Risk at Boylesports, were in attendance. Also in attendance were Lynsay Coupe, Senior Regulatory Officer, and Victoria Marshall, Senior Regulatory Officer. Mr Rob Kent was present as the objector from the local community. Also present were the Service Manager (Regulatory Services) and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.

Ms Coupe from the Licensing Team presented the report and outlined details of the application.

Two representations were received on 2 March 2026 from members of the public. The representations related to the prevention of gambling being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime and the protection of children or other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The representees were concerned that the proposed premises was located in close proximity to a residential area, schools and community centres. Allowing the new premises may increase financial hardship, family breakdowns and addiction in the local community and also criminal activity including theft, fraud and money laundering which in turn may affect local crime rates. They were also concerned that there were already anti-social problems in the area with men congregating and street drinking which may also increase with this premises.

Mr Kent was given the opportunity to outline the details of their representation and answered questions from Members.

Mr Whur was given the opportunity to outline the details of their representation and answered questions from Members.

All parties were 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, 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, in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005.

The Chair announced that the decision and reasons would be confirmed in writing within five working days. The Chair informed the meeting that the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee would be called back to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Chair then asked all but Members of the Sub-Committee and Governance Services Officers to withdraw from the meeting. Members then deliberated in private to consider their decision.

The Sub-Committee recalled the Legal Adviser  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

With there being no further business, the meeting closed at 11:45am.