To consider an application for the variation of a premises licence in respect of the BP Leander Service Station, 182-184 Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5LW.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the variation of a premises licence in respect of the Leander Service Station, 182-184 Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5LW. The application had been submitted by Motor Fuel Group (MFG) Limited.

The report stated that the premises currently operated as a BP service station and was located in a residential area on Henley Road, Caversham. The premises benefited from an existing premises licence (LP9000596 refers) a copy of which was attached to the report at Appendix TS-2. The current premises licence authorised the following licensable activities and hours:

Hours for the Sale by Retail of Alcohol

Monday to Saturday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs

Sunday from 0700hrs to 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Monday to Saturday from 0600hrs until 2300hrs

Sunday from 0700hrs to 2300hrs

The report explained that an application to vary the premises licence had been received on 2 October 2024. A copy of the application form was attached to the report at Appendix TS-1. The variation application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol off the premises and to add the licensable activity of late-night refreshment to the premises licence. The licensable activities and hours applied for were:

Late Night Refreshment

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs until 0500hrs

Hours for the Sale by Retail of Alcohol (Off Sales)

Monday to Sunday from 0000hrs until 2400hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Monday to Sunday from 0000hrs until 2400hrs

The variation application also sought to replace the conditions set out in Annex 2 of the current premises licence (copy attached at Appendix TS-2) with new conditions set out in Section 16 of the application form (copy attached at Appendix TS-1). 

During the 28-day consultation period for the variation application valid representations had been received from Robert Smalley, Licensing Officer, Reading Borough Council and Natalie Weekes, Senior Planning Officer, Reading Borough Council.

Robert Smalley’s representation had been withdrawn after the applicant had agreed to conditions put forward by the Council’s Licensing Team. A copy of the conditions that had been agreed between the Licensing Team and the Applicant was attached to the report at Appendix TS-3. 

The representation submitted by Nathalie Weekes Senior Planning Officer, was attached to the report at Appendix TS-4. The representation had been submitted due to there being significant concerns about the negative impact of the extension of opening on nearby residents in terms of noise and disturbance as well as concerns relating to public nuisance.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

To consider an application for the grant of a premise licence in respect of Alto Lounge, 30-32a Church Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8AU.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Alto Lounge, 30-32a Church Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8AU. The application had been submitted by Loungers UK Limited.

The report stated that the premises currently benefited from a premises licence that authorised the following licensable activities and hours:

Playing of Recorded Music:

Monday to Sunday from 0900hrs to 2300hrs

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On & Off Sales):

Monday to Sunday from 1200hrs to 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0900hrs to 2330hrs

The report stated that Alto Lounge had been granted its premises licence by the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee 3 on 9 September 2008 (Minute 13 refers). The report explained that the property had operated as a food premises for over 30 years. At the meeting the business was described as providing a “family dining environment” and that it operated as a café/bar.

The application to vary the premises licence had been received on 4 October 2024. A copy of the application form was attached to the report at Appendix RS-1. The application sought the grant of a new premise licence to authorise the following activities and hours:

Provision of Late Night Refreshment:

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs until 0030hrs

Sale of Retail of Alcohol (On and Off Sales):

Monday to Sunday from 1000hrs until 0000hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0800hrs until 00:30hrs

The application also sought to extend the current footprint of the business from 32/32a Church Street so that it also covered the neighbouring premises at 30 Church Street (formerly a charity shop).

The report stated that conditions had been agreed between Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team, Thames Valley Police and the Applicant. A copy of the agreed conditions was attached to the report at Appendix RS-2.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application a valid representation had been received from Mr Malcolm Pemble on behalf of the Caversham & District Residents Association. A copy of the representation was attached to the report at Appendix RS-3. CADRA’s representation raised concerns regarding staff talking outside late at night, noise from refrigeration, air-conditioning and kitchen extractor units and deliveries taking place at 5am.

Three further representations had also been received. These were not considered to be relevant to any of the four licensing objectives.  However, for the sake of completeness copies of these representations were attached to the report at Appendix RS-4

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.