To consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Avenue Food & Wine, 92 Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG17HQ.

The Assistant Director Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application by Ilmeet Kaur Chopra for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Avenue Food & Wine, 92 Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG2 7HQ.

A copy of the application form and location plan was attached to the report at Appendix JC1. 

The report stated that during the 28-day consultation period, representations and a petition had been received from local residents, which were attached to the report at Appendix JC2 and JC3 respectively.

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

Hours for the Sale of Alcohol (off the premises)

Monday to Sunday                        0700 hours until 2400 hours

Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday                        0700 hours until 2400 hours.

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 Council’s Licensing Policy also placed an onus on applicants who wished to open past 2300hrs to demonstrate how they would mitigate the issues of crime and disorder and potential public nuisance.

The report set out paragraphs 2.11, 2.13, 7.6 and 7.13. of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.  The report also set out paragraphs 9.42 to 9.43, 10.4 to 10.5, 10.15, 10.27 to 10.28 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in April 2018.

Ms Ilmeet Kaur Chopra, the applicant and her representative Mr Surendra Panchal were present at the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee.  Mr Panchal explained that the applicant wished to amend the licensed hours to the following:

Hours for the Sale of Alcohol (off the premises)

Monday to Sunday                        0800 hours until 2200 hours

Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday                        0800 hours until 2200 hours.

Simone Illger, Bob Castledijn and Pamela Brain were present and addressed the Sub-Committee on their representations regarding the application as stated in the report.

Jean Champeau, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented the report at the meeting.

Resolved –

That, in order to promote the four licensing objectives and having regard to the oral and written representations made, the Secretary of State’s guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (April 2018), the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the application for the grant to a Premises Licence in respect of Avenue Food & Wine, 92 Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG2 7HQ, be granted to permit:

Hours for the Sale of Alcohol (off the premises)

Monday to Sunday  0800  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.