The Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Café Local, Platforms 8-9, Reading Station Reading, RG1 8FP.

The report stated that the application was for the grant of a Premises Licence to permit the following licensable activities:

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On & Off the Premises):

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs

A copy of the Premises Licence Application Form was attached to the report at Appendix RS-1.  A copy of the agreed conditions between Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team, Thames Valley Police and the Applicant were attached to the report at Appendix RS-2.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application one representation had been received by Reading Borough Council (RBC) from an individual, Ms Flora Parham, attached at Appendix RS-3.  Reading Borough Council Licensing Team, Thames Valley Police and British Transport Police had not made any representations.

The report stated that in determining the application the Licensing Authority had a duty to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives, as follows:

·       The prevention of crime and disorder;

·       Public safety;

·       The prevention of public nuisance;

·       The protection of children from harm.

The report also stated that any conditions placed on the premises licence should be appropriate and proportionate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives and that the Licensing Authority could grant (subject to appropriate conditions to promote the licensing objectives), amend, alter or refuse an application should it be deemed appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The report set out paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5, 8.41 to 8.49, 9.12, 9.38, 9.39, 9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in April 2018.  The report also set out paragraphs 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 7.2, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Simon Hall and Sharon Scott of SSP Ltd (the applicant) and their legal representative, Chris Hopkins, attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions.  The individual that had made representations did not attend the meeting.

Mark Groves, RBC Licensing Officer, presented the report to the Sub-Committee.

Resolved –

That, after taking into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under section 182 of that Act, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Equality Act 2010 and Reading Borough Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the promotion of the four Licensing Objectives:

·       the prevention of crime and disorder,

·       public safety;

·       the prevention of public nuisance;

·       the protection of children from harm

and considering the written and oral representations received from the Applicant and their agent and the written representation from the objector, and noting that there had been no objections from Thames Valley Police or from British Transport Police and that proposed conditions had been agreed in advance with the Licensing Department of Reading Borough Council, the Sub-Committee agreed to grant the premises licence to allow, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix RS2 to the report:

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On & Off the Premises)

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs.