To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee meeting held on 26 March 2026 and 2 April 2026.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 26 March and 2 April 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider an application for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Dolphin's Caribbean Restaurant and Bar, 59-60 St Marys Butts, Reading, RG1 2LG

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application by Reading Borough Council (RBC) Licensing Team to review a premises licence in respect of Dolphin’s Caribbean Restaurant and Bar, 59-60 St Mary’s Butts, Reading, RG1 2LG.

The report explained that the premises currently had the benefit of a premises licence which authorised the following licensable activities and hours:

Sale of Alcohol - On the Premises:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2330hrs

Provision of late night refreshment:

Monday to Sunday from 2300hrs to 2330hrs

Provision of Live Music - Indoors:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2330hrs

Performance of Dance - Indoors:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2330hrs

Provision of Recorded Music - Indoors:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2330hrs

Anything Similar to Live Music, recorded Music or Dance - Indoors:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2330hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2400hrs

The report stated that the application for a review of the premises licence had been submitted by Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team who were a named responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003. The application had been submitted to prevent the further undermining of the following licensing objectives:

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

The review application had been submitted in order to address the failure of the premises licence holder to promote the licensing objectives and recommended the revocation of the premises licence. The report stated that an inspection by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team had identified the employment of an illegal worker by the premises licence holder. The review application also referred to the Licensing Team’s other interactions with the premises as follows:

• 1 February 2026: The premises was operating on a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) until 0300hours. At 0310 hours patrons were still inside the premises with lights on and music playing. The premises was closed at 0318 hours with the security staff failing to disperse patrons before leaving themselves.
• 3 April 2026: Door supervisors were not wearing hi-vis tabards or using body worn cameras. One door supervisor was not wearing their SIA badge and left the premises when Licensing officers asked him to wear the badge. The head door supervisor did not know the name of this individual.
• 15 April 2026: an RBC Licensing Enforcement Officer undertook a premises licence inspection and 11 of the 16 conditions attached to the licence were not being met.

A copy of the application to the review premises licence was attached to the report at Appendix LIC-1 and a copy of the licence was attached at Appendix LIC-2.

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

• Phil Thomas, Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team – attached at Appendix LIC-3
• Declan Smyth, Thames Valley Police Licensing Team – attached at Appendix LIC-4

The Sub-Committee noted that a large number of emails from members of the public supporting the premises had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To consider an application for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Reading Express, 102 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7LL

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application by Reading Borough Council (RBC) Licensing Team to review a premises licence in respect of Reading Express, 102 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7LL.

The report explained that the premises currently had the benefit of a premises licence which authorised the following licensable activities and hours:

Sale by Retail of Alcohol - Off the Premises:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 0600hrs to 2030hrs

The report stated that the application for a review of the premises licence had been submitted by Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team who were a named responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003. The application had been submitted to prevent the further undermining of the following licensing objectives:

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

The review application had been submitted in order to address the failure of the premises licence holder to promote the licensing objectives and recommended the revocation of the premises licence. The report stated that a joint inspection by RBC’s Licensing Enforcement Team and the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team had identified the employment of an illegal worker by the premises licence holder.

A copy of the application to the review premises licence, which included a copy of the premises licence was attached to the report at Appendix NB-1.

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

• Declan Smyth, Thames Valley Police Licensing Team – attached at Appendix NB-2.

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:

·       Take no further action;

·       To issue formal warnings to the premises supervisor and/or premises licence holder;

·       Modify the conditions of the licence (including but not limited to hours of operation of licensable activities);

·       Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of a licence;

·       Remove the designated premises supervisor;

·       Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months;

·       Revoke the licence.

Where the Sub-Committee took a step mentioned in the third and fourth points above it may provide that the modification or exclusion was to have effect for a period not exceeding three months or permanently.

The report set out paragraphs 1.5, 1.6, 3.2, 3.10, 4.15, 5.13, 5.15, 7.13, 9.12, 9.13, 9.15, 9.16, 9.18, 9.20 and 9.21 of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The report also set out paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 2.28, 9.12, 9.13, 9.42, 9.43, 11.1, 11.2, 11.10, 11.16 to 11.18 and 11.25  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.