The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application that had been received from Harts Pantry Limited for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of 43 Venables Drive, Bebington., under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The premises do not currently hold a Premises Licence.

The application was to enable internet sales of alcohol to take place from the premises and in accordance with paragraph 3.6 of the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 by the Home Office, the place in which the alcohol was being stored required a Premises Licence.

An operating schedule had been submitted setting out how the business would be conducted/managed in accordance with the four licensing objectives and that the proposals set out in the schedule may become conditions of the licence should the application be granted. A copy of the full application was available.

In respect of this application three representations had been received from local residents.  The representations related to concerns that if the application was granted public nuisance may be caused to residents who live within the housing estate where the premises was situated.  Copies of the representations were available.

The applicant, Mrs Kelly, attended the meeting.

None of the local residents who had made representations were in attendance.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that the applicant wished to submit further documentation regarding Terms and Conditions of the company.  The further documentation was accordingly distributed to Members.

Mrs Kelly addressed the Sub-Committee and explained that the application was in respect of a new business which would principally be to supply food and drink ingredients pursuant to recipes which were locally sourced.  She emphasized that alcohol would be sold as part of the meal or as an ingredient of a recipe and informed Members that orders would be taken via the internet and delivered direct to customers’ homes.  She gave details of the plans for delivering the goods and the expected numbers of delivery days to the premises and believed that the deliveries would not make a significant impact on existing traffic levels.

The applicant also confirmed that it would not be permissible to collect orders from the premises and withdrew the statement submitted under paragraph (e) of Section P of the application form regarding children not being permitted on the premises.

Mrs Kelly amended the application, reducing the required area to be licensed to relate only to the garage area.

Mrs Kelly responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Adviser to the Sub- Committee.

In determining the application Members had regard to the licensing objectives, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and relevant guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Members heard representations from Mrs Kelly, the applicant and considered the written representations from the local residents.

Resolved -

(1)  That in accordance with Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the application.

(2)  That the application for a Premises Licence in respect of Harts Pantry Limited, 43 Venables Drive, Bebington, be granted as amended.