The Assistant Chief Executive reported upon an application that had been received from Greasby Post Office, 140 Greasby Road, Greasby, for a Premises Licence under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined within the report.

The applicant 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.

Mr Pathrannehelage, the proposed DPS, attended on behalf of the Applicant together with his representative, Mr Sivgharan. Mrs J Phillips, local resident living above the shop was also in attendance.

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

Mr Sivgharan addressed the Committee and advised Members that the store would operate as a general convenience store with a post office. Members heard how the proposed DPS had extensive experience in alcohol retailing and provided details of good practices that had been adopted in other stores he had managed, for example, a challenge 25 policy, staff training and maintenance of a refusal register. Details were provided of how the premises would be staffed to operate both the post office and convenience store.

Mr Sivgharan and Mr Pathrannehelage responded to questions from Members of the Sub Committee, local resident Mrs Phillips and Miss V Silvester Legal Advisor to the Sub Committee. Questions raised were in relation to CCTV, the collection of rubbish, shop management and training.

Members heard of the willingness of the Applicant to operate a CCTV system to at least the minimum specification of the Licensing Authority and to ensure rubbish collection and deliveries were undertaken during the day time only. Members of the Sub Committee were also informed that the premises did not intend to sell super strength beers or ciders.

Mrs Phillips then addressed the Sub Committee in objection to the application. Members heard how she lived directly above the premises. Mrs Phillips indicated that she was not opposed to the sale of alcohol and that her main concerns were opening times and the noise disturbance she would suffer. Particular concerns were raised over the noise emanating from the movement of shutters and closure of the front door of the property.

In response to concerns raised by Mrs Phillips, Mr Pathrannehelage agreed to ensure the shutters are serviced and a slow close mechanism is fitted to the front door to reduce any noise disturbance.

Mrs Phillips responded to questions from Members and Miss V Silvester, Legal Advisor to the Sub Committee.

In determining the application members took into account Section 11 of the Guidance in respect of the review mechanism provided by the Licensing Act 2003.

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 Greasby Post Office, 140 Greasby Road, Greasby be granted with the following hours:

Sale by Retail of Alcohol

Sunday to Saturday    08:00 to 23:00

Hours Open to the Public

Sunday to Saturday  06:00 to 23:00

(3)  That in addition to the proposed conditions set out in the operating schedule the following conditions be placed on the Premises Licence:

·  The shutters to the front of the premises must be serviced on a regular basis to prevent any noise nuisance being caused to the resident living above the property. A record of this must be maintained and made available to an authorised Officer on request.

·  A slow closing mechanism must be fitted to the front door.