To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meetings held on 15 May 2025 and 22 May 2025.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 15 and 22 May 2025 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To consider an application for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Drinks 4 U, 36 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2DE.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application by Thames Valley Police for the review of the premises licence in respect of Drinks 4 U, 36 Market Place, Reading, RG1 2DE.

The report stated that the application for a review of the premise licence had been submitted by Thames Valley Police who were a named responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003. The application had been submitted to prevent the further undermining of all four licensing objectives, namely:

• the Prevention of Crime and Disorder;
• the Protection of Children from Harm;
• the Prevention of Public Nuisance and;
• Public Safety.

A copy of the application to the review premises licence was attached to the report at Appendix LIC-1. The application recommended the revocation of the premise licence and had been submitted by Thames Valley Police in order to address the failure of the premise licence holder to promote the four licensing objectives. The report stated that the deliberate and knowledgeable receiving of stolen goods, sales of illegal cigarettes and the employment of an illegal worker by the premise licence holder had led to the application for the review of the premises licence. Other reports submitted by relevent responsible authorities under the Licensing Act 2003 identified various other breaches of licence conditions and contained information on a failed alcohol age test purchase.

The report stated that the premises currently benefited from a premises licence that had first been granted on 29 August 2022 and that authorised the Sale by Retail of Alcohol (Off Sales), Monday to Sunday from 0800hrs until 2300hrs with the premises open to the public between 0800hrs and 2300hrs. On 24 June 2024 the premises licence had been transferred to the current premises licence holder who was also the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). A copy of the current premises licence was attached to report at Appendix LIC-2.

During the 28-day consultation period, valid representations had been received from the following Responsible Authorities:

• Suraj Prashar, Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team – attached at Appendix LIC-3
• Ian Savill, Principal Trading Standards Officer, Reading Borough Council – attached at Appendix LIC-4
• Robert Smalley, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Reading Borough Council – attached at Appendix LIC-5

A further two valid representations had been received in support of the premises from interested parties and were attached to the report at Appendix LIC-6 and Appendix LIC-7.

The report explained that in determining the application for review the Sub-Committee had a duty as the Licensing Authority to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four Licensing Objectives. The Licensing Authority must also have regard to the representations received, its Statement of Licensing Policy and to any relevant sections of the Statutory Guidance issued to licensing authorities. Furthermore, in determining the review application, the Sub-Committee could take such of the following steps it considered appropriate and proportionate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives:

1. Take no further action;
2. To issue formal warnings to the premises supervisor and/or premise licence holder;
3. Modify the conditions of the licence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.