The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application that had been received from Kamaleswari Rajenthiram for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of 82-84 Grange Road West, Birkenhead, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The premises do not currently hold a Premises Licence.  The application for the grant of a Premises Licence was for the following hours:

Supply of Alcohol

Sunday to Saturday  07:00 to 00:00

Hours Open to the Public

Sunday to Saturday  07:00 to 00:00

The applicant was required to submit an operating schedule setting out how they would conduct/manage their business in accordance with the four licensing objectives.  A copy of the full application was available.  Members were advised that the proposals set out in the operating schedule may become conditions of the licence should the licence be granted.

In respect of this application, a representation had been received from a local resident.  The representation related to anti-social behaviour, public nuisance and underage drinking which was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  A copy of the representation was available.

Representations had also been received from Ward Councillors, Jean Stapleton and George Davies.  The representation supported the concerns expressed by the local resident.  Copies of the representations were available.

Following representations made by Merseyside Police a number of conditions as set out in the report had been agreed to by the applicant.  No other representations had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities.

The applicant, Mrs Rajenthiram attended the meeting with her son Rajendiran Vinothan and Ms Sherratt who outlined the application.

Councillor George Davies was in attendance together with Mr T Dewhurst, local resident.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received.  It was confirmed that Councillor Stapleton had given permission for Councillor Davies to speak on her behalf.  Mr Dewhurst requested that he be permitted to refer to some additional documentation which was agreed to by Ms Sherratt and this was therefore submitted to Members.

Ms Sherratt informed Members that Rajendiran Vinothan would be running the premises and that it would be a family-run business.  She reported that Mrs Rajenthiram was temporarily the Designated Premises Supervisor until Rajendiran Vinothan took over.  The purpose of the application was that they felt the premises would not be viable without a Premises Licence.  She reported that the family owned a licensed premises in Liverpool and therefore were experienced in selling alcohol.  She informed Members that following liaisons with Merseyside Police a number of conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence had been agreed including a ‘Challenge 21’ policy and the installation of CCTV.  She outlined how the premises would be operated and referred to the case of Thwaites.  She reminded all parties that if any problems should occur in the future the Licence may be brought into review at any time and asked that the Premises Licence be granted.

Ms Sherratt and Rajendiran Vinothan responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr Dewhurst, Councillor Davies and Mr Abraham, Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.

Councillor Davies outlined existing problems within the vicinity regarding alcohol and anti-social behaviour.  He reported that the area was already saturated with licensed premises and felt that if the application were to be granted it would cause problems in a predominantly residential area.

Councillor Davies and Mr Dewhurst responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee.

In determining the matter, Members gave careful consideration to the application and representations made in writing and orally at the hearing.

Members gave consideration to the representations made by a local resident and Ward Councillor George Davies relating to concerns that the sale of alcohol at the premises could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour within the vicinity of the premises.

Members of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee noted that the applicant would be operating a ‘Think 21’ policy and using CCTV cameras at the premises.

In determining the application the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee had regard to the Licensing Objectives, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the relevant guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Resolved -

(1)  That in accordance with Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the application.

(2)  That the application for a Premises Licence in respect of 82-84 Grange Road West be granted with the following hours:

Supply of Alcohol

Sunday to Saturday  07:00 to 00:00

Hours Open to the Public

Sunday to Saturday  07:00 to 00:00

(3)  That the following conditions be attached to the Premises Licence:-

• Staff must attend training on the prevention of the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 years.  This training must be completed before the premises opens.

• Records of training must be supplied to the Licensing Authority when this training has taken place.

• All staff working at the premises must receive regular updated training in respect of preventing the sale of alcohol to persons under 18 years of age and training records must be kept and maintained and available on request to an Authorised Officer.

• The premises must adopt a ‘Think 21’ Policy and display the appropriate posters regarding this Policy.

• The premises must maintain a refusals log book.  This log book must be made available on request to an Authorised Officer to ensure that it is being used.

• CCTV must be installed at the premises.  Tapes and visual images recorded shall be retained for a period of 31 days and the system installed at the premises must be at least in accordance with the specification issued by the Licensing Authority.

·  Posters must be displayed at the premises stating that no sale of alcohol will take place to persons buying alcohol on behalf of persons under the age of 18.