Agenda item

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for ‘Londis’, 18 Mere Lane, Armthorpe, Doncaster, DN3 2DB.

The application originally sought to permit the sale of alcohol from 06:00 to 23:00 hours, 7 days a week. To prevent a representation from South Yorkshire Police, the applicant agreed to reduce the hours during which alcohol sales would be permitted from 9:00 to 23:00 hours, 7 days a week and to place additional conditions on the licence should it be granted.  

A summary of the application including the amendments agreed with South Yorkshire Police, were attached to the report at Appendix B.

Representations regarding the application had been received from neighbouring residents; copies of which were attached to the report at Appendix E.

A copy of the application had been sent to each of the Responsible Authorities.  Details of the application had been published on the Council’s website.

The Sub-Committee Members, the Applicant, Ms. Sarlaben Jina and her Agent, Mr Anil Bhawsar, Responsible Authorities and neighbouring residents who had made written representations had received the agenda prior to the meeting.

At the commencement of the meeting, the Chair made introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

Mr Mulu M. Jina, a member of the Applicant’s family, and Mr Anil Bhawsar, the Agent acting on behalf of the Applicant, made representations and answered questions.

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17(l), the Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:05 am.  All parties were then asked to leave the room whilst the Sub-Committee deliberated on the application and reached a decision.

RECONVENED MEETING

During Members’ consideration of the application, in accordance with Section 5(c) of the Licensing Act 2003, Hearing Procedure, the meeting reconvened at 10:15 am. In order to assist the Sub-Committee in its deliberations, further information was sought from Mr. Mulu M. Jinaand Mr. Paul Williams, the Licensing Manager, to which they gave responses.

All parties were then asked to leave the room whilst the Sub-Committee deliberated on the application and reached a decision.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Sub-Committee havingconsidered the application for a new Premises Licence for ‘Londis’, 18 Mere Lane, Armthorpe, Doncaster, and having taken into account the written representations made and the evidence presented today, the steps that are appropriate to promote the Licensing Objectives, the Home Office Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, decided to grant the licence in the terms as set out in Appendix B to the report, subject to the following conditions:-

1.     Minimum of 3 staff working the shop at all times the premises is open

2.     All alcohol in the store to be covered during the periods it is not licenced to be sold

3.     Security shutters to be fitted to the door and windows of the premises and for them to be used when the premises is closed.

4.     That the condition regard training be amended to include training on the licensing objectives and their relevance to operating a premises licence

The Applicant is a family with 25 years of retail experience. The family have had 4 shops in Nottinghamshire and have sold up and moved to Doncaster. Regarding the neighbours the agent for the applicant states it is important to the Applicant they are a responsible retailer and they are to be a neighbourhood store and it is normal to have alcohol sales as part of the store. The alcohol section of the store is small.  The agent for the Applicant says all the conditions the police wanted were part of their operating schedule save for the alcohol percentage and the one can ban. The agent for the applicant says they are happy to comply with all the police conditions. It was put by the agent for the Applicant they are used to selling in a city centre so is aware of the issues for such a store.

The Premises will be placing notices on walls and windows to deter ASB and will be placing bins outside. It is put by the Applicant it is not in their interest to have litter outside.

Regarding children without ID there will be no sale and the refusal will be put in the refusals book. The Premises will be using CCTV which they say will act as a deterrent. CCTV is inside and outside the premises. Posters will be put up and leaflets to be on the counter about sales to underage.

The Committee were concerned there is a potential of accumulation of people outside the premises including children that may cause ASB. Those acting for the applicant say the applicant has previously used posters to prevent such occurrences which he says have been effective. Those acting for the applicant say she will speak to those outside the store to make sure there are no issues. Those acting for the applicant say if there are issues they will call the police and there will be a panic button under the counter. Those acting for the applicant say they want a neighbourhood store and wants to make sure that outside will be fine.  The committee believes that the use of CCTV outside will act a deterrent or alternatively will allow any activities to be monitored.

The Committee were concerned about overnight security. It was put by those acting for the applicant there is 24 hours security with an alarm system connected to the Police station. The committee agrees that security is important and have imposed a condition to ensure the use of shutters.

The Committee were concerned that a member of the family who will be working in the store had a limited understanding of the licensing objectives. The committee believes that the conditions they have imposed will ensure all staff working will now understand the licensing objectives and their relevance to the operating of a premises selling alcohol.

The Committee have noted there will be a period of time when the store is open but alcohol will not be for sale. During this period the alcohol will be covered to ensure compliance with this requirement.

Those acting for the applicant say there will be 3 members of staff in the morning and 4 in the evening working in the premises. So there is a minimum of 3 staff on the premises at any one time. The committee believes this is an important condition to prevent and deter crime a disorder both inside and outside the premises.        

The Committee believes that the Application together with the conditions we have imposed ensures the licensing objectives are promoted.