To consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of The Tasty Plaice, 158 Park Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 4DU.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of the Tasty Plaice, 158 Park Lane Reading, RG31 4DU. The report explained that the application was for a grant of a premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

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 (On the Premises):

Monday to Sunday from 1130hrs until 2200hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 1130hrs until 2215hrs

A copy of the Premises Licence Application Form was attached to the report at Appendix RS-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 RS-2.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application seven representations from local residents and businesses had been received by Reading Borough Council (RBC). These were attached to the report as appendices RS-3 to RS-9.  The responsible authorities did not make any representations.

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 able 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, 9.13, 9.38 to 9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in August 2023.  The report also set out paragraphs 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.18, 7.2, 7.3, 7.6, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

Mr William Donne, Silver Fox Consultants, the applicant's agent, was present at the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions.  The applicants Ikhbar Singh Sandhu and Jasmeet Kaur Sandhu, and the premises manager, Harsimran Kaur Lakhanpal also attended the meeting.

Objectors Charanjit Singh and Jasbir Singh attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.

Anthony Chawama, RBC Licensing Officer, presented the report to the Sub-Committee.  Licensing Officers Mike Harding, Tabitha Shaw, Brad Timm and Ben Williams attended the meeting as observers.

In reaching their decision the Sub-Committee gave due consideration to the written evidence contained in the paperwork and the oral evidence at the meeting and to the relevant legislation and policies of Reading Borough Council as set out above.  The Sub-Committee did not consider competition and need as these were not licensing concerns.

Resolved -

(1)      That, after taking into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under section 182 of that Act, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Equality Act 2010 and Reading Borough Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the promotion of the four Licensing Objectives:

·       the prevention of crime and disorder,

·       public safety;

·       the prevention of public nuisance;

·       the protection of children from harm

and considering the written and oral representations received from the Applicant and their agent and from objectors, the Sub-Committee agreed to grant the premises licence, to allow the following licensable activities:

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (Off the Premises):

Monday to Sunday from 1130hrs until 2200hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from 1130hrs until 2215hrs

Subject to the conditions set out in Appendix RS-2 to the report.