The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application received from Mr Savas Koseer to consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Just Simple Meals,  88–90 Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The application for the grant of a Premises Licence was as follows:

Supply of Alcohol

Monday to Saturday  08:00 to 22:00

Sunday  09:00 to 22:00

Hours Open to the Public

Monday to Saturday  06:00 to 22:00

Sunday  07:00 to 22:00

The applicant was required to submit as part of the application an operating schedule that set out how they would conduct/manage the business in accordance with the four Licensing Objectives. A copy of the full amended application detailing the steps proposed by the applicant was available.

Members of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee were advised that the proposals set out in the operating schedule, which had also been amended by the applicant, would become conditions of the licence should the licence be granted.

The Director confirmed that all relevant documentation had been sent out in respect of the application.

The Director outlined the application to Members and reported that two representations had been received from local residents. The representations related to concerns of increased public nuisance and anti-social behaviour within the vicinity of the premises.

Mr Koseer was present at the meeting together with his partner, Julie Hill, who presented the application. She confirmed that only 10-15% of floorspace within the shop would be for alcohol sales comprising a mix of beer in a chilled display cabinet together with wines and spirits which would be behind the counter. She also confirmed the conditions that Mr Koseer was willing to have attached to the licence including CCTV with four cameras inside and two outside the premises; the ‘Think 21’ scheme regarding under-age sales; and all under 16 year olds to be accompanied by an adult after 6.00pm. The name of the shop would also be changed to Best One.

Mrs Holmes, local resident, attended the meeting, accompanied by Ann Ardern, another local resident and she elaborated on her objections which had been submitted in a letter to the Director.

Members gave careful consideration to all the representations and noted there had been no objections from any of the responsible authorities. 

In determining the application the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee had regard to the licensing objectives, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Department of Culture and Media and Sport Guidance issued under Section 182 of 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 the grant of a Premises Licence be granted as follows:

Supply of Alcohol:

Monday to Saturday   08:00 to 22:00

Sunday  09:00 to 22:00

Hours Open to the Public:

Monday to Saturday  06:00 to 22:00

Sunday  07:00 to 22:00

(3) That the following conditions be attached to the Premises Licence:

• The premises must adopt a Think 21 Policy and display the appropriate posters.
• Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when entering the premises after 6.00pm.
• Staff must attend training on under age sales provided by Wirral Trading Standards. This training must be completed within 28 days of 9 August 2010. Records of training must be supplied to the Licensing Authority when this training has taken place.
• All staff working at the premises must receive regular updated training in respect of preventing the sale of alcohol to persons under 18 years of age and training records must be kept and maintained
• CCTV to be installed at the premises in accordance with the specification issued by the Licensing Authority. Tapes and visual images recorded shall be retained for a period of 31 days and access to the system must be made available to Licensing officers and Responsible Authorities on request. 
• Customers be asked to leave quietly from the premises.