The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application that had been received from Tesco Stores Limited for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Tesco, 111 King Street, Wallasey, 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  06:00 to 23:00

Hours Open to the Public

Sunday to Saturday  06:00 to 23:00

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 and two local businesses.  The representations related to alcohol and drug related problems within the vicinity of the premises and expressed concerns that this would increase should the application be granted.  Copies of the representations were available.

No representations had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities.

Mr S Potter, Area Manager, attended the meeting together with Mr C Gerrard, Store Manager and their Solicitor Mr Rees-Gay, to outline the application.

Mr Lockwood from King Street Post Office and Mrs Quinn, local resident, were also in attendance.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received.

Mr Rees-Gay addressed the Sub-Committee and provided some background to the application.  He reported that Tesco were vastly experienced and had good systems in place regarding the sale of alcohol.  He informed Members that all staff were trained regarding the four licensing objectives and that refresher training was provided.  He reported that Tesco operated a ‘Think 25’ policy.  He also reported that the Store Manager could be contacted at all times should any issues arise and that local people would be employed at the premises.  Mr Rees-Gay pointed out that no representations had been received from Merseyside Police and stated that there was no evidence linking any of the concerns raised to the premises and that a security guard would be employed at the premises during opening hours.  During busy periods there would also be an overlap of security staff employed at the premises.  He further reported that the premises would have a positive effect on the local economy and the local community and also that there would be extensive CCTV coverage.

Mr Rees-Gay, Mr Potter and Mr Gerrard responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee, Mr Lockwood and Mrs Quinn.  It was established through questions that the store was designated a critical risk store and because of this status as opposed to a non critical store, alcohol would not be promoted at the front entrance of the premises.

Mr Lockwood expressed his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43

The Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application that had been received from Farhad Daemi for a Premises Licence in respect of Mr Pizza, 158c Bebington Road, Bebington, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The application was for the grant of a new Premises Licence with the hours outlined within the report.

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.

Representations had been received from Ward Councillors Jerry Williams, Christina Muspratt and Walter Smith.  The representations related to anti-social behaviour which they considered was a current problem within the vicinity of the premises.  Copies of the representations were available.

The applicant, Mr Daemi, attended the meeting together with Mr Hamid who presented the application.

Ward Councillor, Walter Smith was also in attendance.

The Licensing Officer confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received.

The applicant explained that the business had been there for about 18 years and had been open from 4 pm to 11 pm.  He reported that he had never experienced any problems and there had been no incidents at the premises.  He informed Members that most of the business would be from deliveries rather than passing trade and that the business had been struggling financially.

Mr Hamid responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee and Councillor Smith.

Councillor Smith reported that although there had been no recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour the premises was situated in close proximity to residential property.  He reported that Ward Councillor, Councillor Muspratt had received a number of complaints from local residents regarding customers behaving in an anti-social manner.  Councillor Smith raised concerns regarding noise nuisance at a later hour should the application be granted and believed that the application to be open until 1am was unreasonable.

Councillor Smith responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee.

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 Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Members heard representations from Mr Hamid on behalf of Mr Daemi, the applicant in support of the application.

Members had regard to the representations made by the Ward Councillors relating to concerns that if the application was granted, this could result in disturbance to local residents at a late hour.

Members also had regard to the fact that the main business to be operated from the premises during the hours applied for is through deliveries.  Members also noted that it was reported that there were no incidents or complaints recorded in respect of the premises.

Members noted there were no representations from any of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40