Resolved – That Councillor A Hodson be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Sub-Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Sub-Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application that had been received from Asda Stores Limited to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Asda, Seaview Road, Liscard, CH45 4NZ.

It was reported that the premises currently holds a Premises Licence and the details of the variation of the Premises Licence 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 application be granted.

In respect of the application, four representations had been received from local residents.  The representations related to concerns of an increase of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour which they stated was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  Copies of the representations were available.

The applicant was represented by Gosschalks Solicitors.  The General Manager of the store also attended the meeting.  Three local residents were also in attendance.

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

The applicant’s solicitor addressed the Sub-Committee and informed Members that they were seeking to vary the hours for the sale by retail of alcohol to 24 hours Monday to Sunday and to permit Late Night Refreshment from 11.00 pm to 5.00 am Monday to Sunday.  The applicant’s solicitor reported that Asda operated over 600 stores in the country and that hundreds of these stores operated with 24 hours without any of the licensing objectives being undermined, many of which were situated in highly challenging, densely populated areas.

The applicant’s representative also advised that Asda had responsible policies and procedures in place which related to the sale of alcohol.  These included comprehensive training and refresher training, Challenge 25 policy and independent test purchasing, CCTV and till prompts.

The applicant’s solicitor referred to the representations made and requested that Members consider the fact that the application related to the sale of alcohol and Late Night refreshment and not the general operation of the store.  She also advised Members that the Store Manager had not been aware of any complaints made. 

In response to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee and local residents, the applicant’s solicitor confirmed that the application for Late Night refreshment was intended for the sale of hot drinks and that there was no intention for a takeaway at the premises.  She also confirmed that the application for 24 hours was in order that everything could be sold at the same time as it was intended to bring the sale of all products under one regime.

Local residents addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that the premises were situated in a residential area.  The residents informed Members that they already experienced noise and disruption that occurred with the current opening hours which had been caused by delivery vehicles as well as customers’ vehicles which they believed constituted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.