To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meeting held on 13 April 2023.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 13 April 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Today's Express, 17 Duke Street, Reading, RG1 4SA.

The Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Today's Express, 17 Duke Street, Reading, RG1 4SA.

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

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (Off the Premises):

Monday to Sunday from 0800hrs until 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs

A copy of the Premises Licence Application Form was attached to the report at Appendix MG-1. 

A copy of the agreed conditions between Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team, Thames Valley Police and the Applicant were attached to the report at Appendix MG-2.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application representations had been received by Reading Borough Council (RBC) from Reading Borough Council Licensing Team and Thames Valley Police and these representations were attached to the report as Appendices MG-2 and MG-3 respectively.  The responsible authorities stated that their concerns could be addressed by ensuring that appropriate conditions were attached to the premises Licence.

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 applicant and the responsible authorities had been unable to reach agreement on the conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence in order to promote the four Licensing objectives.

The report set out paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5, 8.41 to 8.49, 9.12, 9.38, 9.39, 9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in April 2018.  The report also set out paragraphs 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 7.2, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Mr Chopra (the applicant) and his legal representative, Bill Donne, Silver Fox Consultants, attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions.  Mr Donne informed the Sub-Committee that the applicant requested that the opening hours be amended from 0600 - 2300hrs to 0800 - 2300 hours.  The Sub-Committee were made aware that Mr Chopra had recently purchased the business and had no connection with the previous owner.  Declan Smyth, Thames Valley Police Licensing, and Robert Smalley, RBC Licensing, were both present at the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and answered questions.

Anthony Chawama, RBC Licensing Officer, presented the report to the Sub-Committee.

Resolved -

That, after taking into consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.