To consider an application for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Today’s Express, 107 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7UD.

The Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application by Thames Valley Police for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Today’s Express, 107 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7UD.

The report stated that Thames Valley Police had requested a review of the Premises Licence due to serious concerns that the premises was failing to promote licensing objectives via insufficient measures to ensure due diligence and compliance with the conditions in place on their licence.  This had led to an increase in street drinking and anti-social behaviour in and around the premises.  A copy of the review application form and appendices was attached to the report at Appendix RS-1.

The report stated that during the 28-day consultation period, representations had been received from Reading Borough Council Licensing Team and the Chair of Oxford Road Safer Neighbourhood Forum which were attached to the report at Appendices RS-2 and RS-3 respectively.

A copy of the current licence was attached at Appendix RS-4 and authorised the following licensable activities:

Hours for Sale by Retail of Alcohol

Monday to Saturday:         from 0900 hours until 2300 hours

Sunday:                             from 1000 hours until 2230 hours

Good Friday:                     from 0900 hours until 2230 hours

Christmas Day:                  from 1200 hours until 1500 hours

                                         from 1900 hours until 2230 hours

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Monday to Saturday:         from 0700 hours until 2300 hours

Sunday:                             from 0700 hours until 2230 hours

The following additional documents were attached to the papers:

Appendix RS-5         Additional Information supplied by Thames Valley Police;

Appendix RS-6        Representations submitted by Abbey Ward Councillor, Karen Rowland, and Chair of Baker Street Area Neighbourhood Association (BANSA), Mr Richard Rowlands.

The Sub-Committee also considered information submitted by the representative of the Premises Licence Holder, Mr William Donne from Silver Fox Licensing Consultants.

The report stated that in determining the review 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 further stated that in determining the application the Licensing Authority must also have had regard to the representations received, the Licensing Authority’s statement of licensing policy and any relevant section of the statutory guidance to licensing authorities.  Furthermore, in determining the application, the Licensing Authority could take such of the following steps as it considered appropriate and proportionate for the promotion of the licensing objectives:

• Take no further action
• To issue formal warnings to the premises supervisor and/or premises licence holder
• Modify the conditions of the licence (including, but not limited to hours of operation of licensable activities)
• Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence
• Remove the designated premises licence supervisor
• Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months
• Revoke the licence

(Where the Sub-Committee took a step mentioned in the third and fourth bullet points above it may provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11