To consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of M & M Foods and Wine, 55 – 57 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1LH

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of M & M Food and Wine, 33-57 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1LH submitted by Mr Manpreet S Kapoor of Personal Licence Courses UK Ltd, on behalf of Kulwant Singh Gaba of M & M Food and Wine, which was attached to the report at Appendix MH001.

The application stated that the premises would operate as an off-licence and convenience store and sought a premises licence authorising the following licensable activities and operating hours:

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (Off the Premises):

Monday to Sunday from 0700hrs until 0000hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0700hrs until 0000hrs

The report stated that there was currently no licence in force at the premises and the previous premises licence had been surrendered on 17 June 2026.

The report stated that the 28-day statutory consultation period for the application had closed on 15 June 2026. During that period, four valid representations had been received from the following responsible authorities:

1.       Ben Williams – Licensing Enforcement Officer for Reading Borough Council;

2.       Declan Smyth – Licensing Officer for Thames Valley Police;

3.       Alec Coomber – Environmental Health Graduate;

4.       Remya Ravindran – Trading Standards.

Copies of the representations were attached to the report at Appendices MH002, MH003, MH004 and MH005 respectively.

The report highlighted that, when considering any application, the Licensing Authority should be aware that Temporary Event Notices (TENs) might be used to authorise licensable activities and might enable a premises to extend the hours or scope of its operation.

The report set out the powers of the Licensing Authority when determining an application for the grant of a premises licence and explained that the Sub-Committee could:

• Grant the application as applied for;
• Grant the application subject to modifications;
• Refuse the application.

The report stated that, when considering the representations received, the Licensing Authority had a duty to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives:

• 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 a premises licence should be appropriate and proportionate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives and that the Licensing Authority could amend, alter or refuse an application where it considered it appropriate to do so. In determining the application, the Licensing Authority must also have regard to the representations received, the Licensing Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy and any relevant sections of the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The report set out paragraphs from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy (specifically paragraphs: 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 7.2, 7.6, 7.7, 7.12, 8.6, 10.1, and 10.3) and from the Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (specifically  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.