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. 

No such declarations were made.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services reported upon an application that had been received for a Premises Licence in respect of 86 Woodchurch Lane, Prenton, CH42 9PD.

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 a detailed representation had been received from a local resident who had also submitted a petition containing 133 signatures which requested that the Licensing Authority reject the application for a Premises Licence on the grounds that it does not align with the four licensing objectives and would pose a significant risk to public safety, community harmony and the welfare of children in the area.  Two further representations had been received from local residents which referenced concerns that the granting of the application would undermine the four licensing objectives and would have a negative impact on the community wellbeing of the area.  Copies of the representations had been provided to Members.

The applicant attended the meeting together with their representative.  Two local residents were also in attendance.  The Licensing Manager reported that one of the local residents in attendance had been given authorisation to speak on behalf of a local resident who was unable to attend.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that one of the local residents in attendance had provided photographs of the premises.  The applicant’s representative had no objection to the photographs being considered therefore they were provided to Members.

The Licensing Manager outlined the report. 

The applicant’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee and informed Members that this was an application for a new licence which would be a new family business venture for an empty shop which is being refurbished to become a new general convenience store selling a wide range of goods and that alcohol sales will be part of the business.  Members were further informed that the proposed alcohol sales were in order to offer an all-round service to customers.

The applicant’s representative advised that alcohol sales would constitute no more than 15% of the floor space of the premises and that high value items would be kept behind the counter.  Members were advised that three to four part-time staff would be employed at the premises and that the applicant and proposed Designated Premises Supervisor both had ten years’ experience running licensed premises with no issues and that Merseyside Police had raised no objections to the application.

The applicant’s representative highlighted to Members that the applicant had submitted a comprehensive set of conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence should the application be granted.  These included a CCTV system covering inside and outside of the premises,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.