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

Members of the Licensing Panel 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 Licensing Act 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 Law and Governance reported upon an application that had been received from Stephen Banton for a Premises Licence in respect of 9 Broadway, Bebington, CH63 5ND.

The hours applied for the Premises Licence were set out 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 had been provided to Members. Members were advised that the proposals set out in the operating schedule may become conditions of the licence should the application be granted.

Following discussions with Merseyside Police and the Licensing Authority, the applicant had agreed to have a number of conditions placed on the Premises Licence, as set out within the report, should the application be granted.

In respect of the application three representations had been received from local residents.  The representations related to concerns that the operation of the premises would add to public nuisance and anti-social behaviour which the residents considered was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  Copies of the representations had been provided to Members.

The applicant attended the meeting.  A local business owner who had made a representation was also in attendance together with a member of staff.

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

The Licensing Manager outlined the report. 

The applicant addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that the operating model of the business was that it would be a small micro pub located on Broadway which would have a community feel and would operate a book share club, offer board games and be open to dog walkers.

The applicant informed Members that it was intended that the business would attract local residents for a craft ale or glass of wine, dog walkers would be welcome and for the premises to be a nice place to go for a drink.  Members of the Sub-Committee were informed that only background music would be played, that the premises could accommodate 38 customers seated and that there would be no vertical drinking. 

In response to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee and the legal advisor to the Sub-Committee, the applicant advised that there would be no television in the premises and therefore there would be no screening of sporting events.  It was made clear that the application was for the consumption of alcohol on the premises only and that there was no intention to provide any outdoor drinking area.

The applicant advised the Sub-Committee that although they had no previous experience in licensed premises, experienced staff would be employed.

It was reported that the applicant had liaised with Merseyside Police and the Licensing Authority and had agreed to a number of conditions being placed on the Premises Licence should the licence be granted.  These conditions included a comprehensive CCTV system to operate at the premises, the training of staff on their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003, a Challenge 25 Policy and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application that had been received from Pamini Mathiyaparanam for a Premises Licence in respect of Keerthi Superstore, 56 King Street, Wallasey, CH44 8AU.

The hours applied for the Premises Licence were set out 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 had been provided to Members. 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 three representations had been received from local residents.  The representations related to concerns of crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour and underage drinking which residents considered was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  Copies of the representations had been provided to Members.

The applicant’s agent attended the meeting together with the applicant’s brother.  Two local residents who had made representations were also in attendance.

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

The Licensing Manager outlined the report. 

The applicant’s agent addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that although the premises had previously traded as a convenience store with a Premises Licence, this was an application for a new licence which was a new business venture for an empty shop which was being refurbished to become a new general convenience store selling a wide range of goods. Members of the Sub-Committee were advised that alcohol sales would be part of the business in order to offer an all round service to customers.

Members were informed that alcohol sales would be between 12-15% of the floor space and spirits would be kept behind the counter.  It was highlighted that the applicant had submitted a comprehensive set of conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence should it be granted.  These included a CCTV system covering inside and outside the premises, a Challenge 25 Policy and that no member of staff would be allowed to sell alcohol until they had received training in respect of their obligations under the Licensing Act 2003.

In response to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, local residents and the legal advisor to the Sub-Committee, the applicant’s agent advised that the applicant would be re-locating to Merseyside and would be the Designated Premises Supervisor at the premises and had previous experience working in licensed premises.  The applicant’s brother would also be working at the premises and there would be two trained members of staff working at the premises at any one time.

Further to concerns raised in respect of the hours of the sale of alcohol, the applicant’s agent submitted that although the application had been made for the sale of alcohol from 6.00 am they would be content for this to be reduced by one hour in the morning to start from 7.00 am.

The local residents in attendance expressed their concerns regarding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.