To consider an application for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Butts Convenience Stores, 205 Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7BX.

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 Butts Convenience Stores, 205 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7BX.

The report stated that Thames Valley Police had submitted the application for the review of the Premises Licence due to concerns that the premises was failing to promote the licencing objectives via insufficient measures to ensure due diligence and compliance with the conditions in place on their licence.  This had led to staff working at the premises without proof of their right to work or any training given on the sale of alcohol or the licensing objectives.  A copy of the review application form and appendices were attached to the report at Appendix LIC-1.

During the 28 day consultation period for the application, representations had been received from Reading Borough Council, which were attached to the report at Appendix LIC-2.

A copy of the Premises Licence was attached at Appendix LIC-3, which authorised the following licensable activities:

Sale of Alcohol by Retail (Off the Premises)

Monday to Saturday           0800 hours until 2300 hours

Sunday                              1000 hours until 2230 hours

Good Friday                       0800 hours until 2230 hours

Christmas Day                   1200 hours until 1500 hours and 1900 hours until 2230 hours

Additional information was also supplied by Thames Valley Police.

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 that the modification or exclusion was to have effect for a period not exceeding three months or permanently).

The report set out paragraphs 11.19, 11.20, 11.22 and 11.23 from the Secretary of State’s guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (April 2018) and paragraphs 1.6, 3.2, 5.13, 6.1, 6.5, 9,1, 9.2, 9.15 and 9.16 of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy (2018).

Dan Fundrey, Licensing Enforcement Officer from Reading Borough Council, attended the meeting and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3