The Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application that had been received from Puvanenthiran Kandaiah and related to the premises known as Prenton Convenience at 338 Woodchurch Road, Prenton, CH42 8PQ.

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

It was reported that the premises do not currently have a Premises Licence. 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 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.

Following consultation with Merseyside Police, the applicant had agreed to have conditions placed on the premises licence which included CCTV, an incident book and refusals log being kept at the premises and a Challenge 25 policy being operated. The full list of conditions was set out in the report.

In respect of the application 3 representations had been received from local residents. The representations related to concerns that anti-social behaviour would increase should the application be granted due to there being several other premises which sold alcohol in the local area and concerns about customers parking on zig zags whilst they were in the premises.

The representations included customers leaving the premises late at night causing a nuisance which the residents had indicated was currently a problem with other nearby premises. The residents also had concerns regarding the use of the outside area at the rear of the premises which could cause a nuisance to local residents. A copy of the representations was available.

In response to the representations submitted by local residents, the applicant explained that he was not responsible for where customers parked and that this was not a relevant matter for the Sub-Committee to consider. The applicant informed the Sub-Committee he operated two other premises and had done for over 20 years with no issues. The applicant stated that alcohol sales contributed around 10% of his total sales and that in his other premises his staff were all trained on the conditions on the licence that would be the case should this application be granted.

In determining the application Members of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee had regard to the Licensing Objectives, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

In coming to their decision Members gave consideration to the submissions made by the applicant, in particular that the business would be run by the applicant and his wife and that they had 20 years’ experience and two other premises that operated under the same or similar conditions.

Members gave consideration to the written representations made by local residents, however Members had to have regard to the statutory guidance issued under the Licensing Act 2003 that the decision of the Licensing Panel must be evidenced based.

 Members also took into account Section 11 of the Guidance in respect of the review mechanism provided by the Licensing Act 2003 when problems associated with the Licensing Objectives occur after the grant of a Premises Licence.

Resolved – That the application for a Premises Licence in respect of Prenton Convenience at 338 Woodchurch Road, Prenton, CH42 8PQ, be granted.