To consider an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Chaiiwala, 140-142 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1JL.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Chaiiwala, 140-142 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1JL. The premises did not currently benefit from a Premises Licence.

At the outset, the Sub-Committee confirmed with all parties present that they were aware that the application had erroneously not been posted on the Reading Borough Council website for the 28-day consultation period. The applicant had advertised the application via Reading Today Online and a blue notice displayed at the premises. Each party confirmed that they were content to continue with the hearing despite this lapse.

The application for a premises licence had been submitted by UTAD Limited on behalf of the applicant Mr Mohsin Mujtaba-Tariq. The application had been received on 28 November 2024. A copy of the application form was attached to the report at Appendix LIC-1. The application the grant of a premises licence to allow the following:

Hours for the Provision of Late Night Refreshment:

Monday to Sunday             from 2300hrs until 0100hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday             from 0800hrs until 0100hrs

During the 28-day consultation period for the application representations against the variation application had been received from the following Responsible Authorities:

·                Rebecca Moon – RBC, Environmental Protection Team – representation attached at Appendix LIC-2;

·                Tabitha Shaw – Reading Borough Council (RBC), Licensing Team – representation attached at Appendix LIC-3.

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 stated that any decision made in relation to the Premises Licence should be appropriate and proportionate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority could amend, alter, or refuse an application should it be deemed appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The report set out paragraphs 1.6, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.19 to 6.26, 7.2, 7.6, 7.7, 7.12, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The report also 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 December 2023.

Ben Williams, Licensing Enforcement Officer, RBC, attended the hearing and presented the report outlining the application to the Sub-Committee.

The Applicant, Mr Mohsin Mujtaba-Tariq, and his representative, Mr Bill Donne of Silver Fox Consultants attended the meeting. Both addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and asked and responded to questions.

Robert Smalley, Licensing Enforcement Officer, RBC; attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the representations that had been submitted in opposition to the application, asked and responded to questions.

Resolved:

(1)           That, after taking into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under section 182 of that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.