The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Leonard Henry for a Premises Licence in respect of 56 Mill Lane, Liscard, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined within the report.  The applicant had submitted an operating schedule setting out how the business would be conducted/managed 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.

A representation had been received from a local resident who objected to the application being granted.  A petition had also been received containing 200 signatures.  The representation related to concerns that should the application be granted, anti-social behaviour caused by youths would increase within the vicinity of the premises.

A representation had been received from a Licence Holder of a similar type of premises based in Derby who was in support of the application.  He considered that the Licensing Objectives would not be undermined should the application be granted.

Copies of the representations and petition were available.

The applicant, Mr Henry attended the meeting together with Mr Scott, who had made the representation in support of the application.

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

Mr Henry addressed the Sub-Committee and outlined the application.  He advised Members that the premises would operate following the principles of the micro pub ethos which was a relatively new concept.  He advised that the micro pub was usually set up in an old shop, was small and focussed on the local community.  It promoted the sale of cask ales for the more mature drinker and was a place to socialise.  He informed Members that the premises would not have any lager, alcopops, cocktails, music, duke box or fruit machines but that a selection of cask ales would be provided together with fine wines, soft drinks and snacks.  He also advised that no beers with an ABV above 6.5% would be sold at the premises and that drinking would not be permitted outside the premises.  He informed Members that his aim was to provide a pub with a relaxed atmosphere that would attract people from the local community and real ale drinkers where they could sit and chat and read the newspapers.  Mr Henry reported that Mr Scott had been operating a similar premises in Derby for 18 months and had received no complaints.  He believed that the model on which the premises was based would meet the four licensing objectives.

Mr Henry responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

In response to questions, Mr Henry informed the Sub-Committee that he would be content for a condition to be attached to the Premises Licence in relation to no drinks being allowed to be taken outside by people wishing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from John Navarathnam for a Premises Licence in respect of Pasture News, 27 Pasture Road, Moreton, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined within the report.  The applicant had submitted an operating schedule setting out how the business would be conducted/managed 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. 

A representation had been received from Merseyside Police.  The representation related to a current problem of anti-social behaviour caused by youths within the vicinity of the premises including attempts by these youths to obtain alcohol, either in person or by proxy.  Merseyside Police had concerns that should the application be granted this would provide increased opportunity to commit crime and disorder.  Merseyside Police also advised that the applicant had been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice in June 2013 following the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 whilst working at a store in Prescot, Merseyside.  A copy of the representation was available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with his representative Mr Douglas.

Sergeant Barrigan attended the meeting together with Constable Coley and Neighbourhood Sergeant Roberts.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that Sergeant Barrigan wished to submit photographs of the premises which had been agreed to by Mr Douglas.

The applicant’s representative referred to the fact that the only representation that had been received was that of Merseyside Police.  He pointed out that no representations had been made by local residents, Councillors or any of the other responsible authorities.  He believed that the application was not controversial in respect of the operating hours and no comment had been made upon the hours by Merseyside Police.  He referred to the fact that there was no cumulative impact policy in the area and believed that granting the application would not give rise to a negative cumulative impact.  He pointed out that the calls made regarding anti social behaviour had been made by the same person but that the individual concerned had not made a representation.  He referred to the test purchase which had been failed by the applicant and believed that he should not be penalised by this one incident.  He advised Members that the applicant would operate a Challenge 25 Policy and that staff would attend training provided by Trading Standards or an accredited BIIAB trainer.  He also assured Members that if youths congregated outside the premises they would be asked to move on and proposed that the applicant would be content to leave a condition on the Premises Licence regarding this.  He understood that the problems of anti social behaviour in the area were under control. 

Mr Douglas informed Members that the applicant held a Personal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6