To consider an application for the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of The Prince, 111 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5BQ.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of The Prince, 111 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5QB. The report explained that the premises currently had a Premises Licence which allowed the followed activities:

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

Monday to Sunday from         1000hrs until 2300hrs

New Year’s Eve: In addition to the permitted hours for the day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of the permitted hours the following day.

Late Night Refreshment

Monday to Sunday from         2300hrs until 2330hrs

New Year’s Eve: In addition to the permitted hours for the day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of the permitted hours the following day.

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from         1000hrs until 2330hrs

A copy of the Application to Vary a Premises Licence Form was attached to the report at Appendix LIC-1, and the report stated that the application was for the variation of the existing Premises Licence to permit the following licensable activities:

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

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday from       1000hrs to 0000hrs

New Year’s Eve: In addition to the permitted hours for the day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of the permitted hours the following day.

Late Night Refreshment

Sunday to Thursday from       2300hrs until 2330hrs

Friday and Saturday from       2300hs to 0000hrs

New Year’s Eve: In addition to the permitted hours for the day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of the permitted hours the following day.

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2330hrs

Friday and Saturday from       1000hrs to 0030hrs

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

During the 28-day consultation period for the application two representations had been received by Reading Borough Council from local residents. Copies of the representations were attached to the report as appendices LIC-3 to LIC-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 should it be deemed appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives. The report stated that, when determining the application, the Licensing Authority must also have regard to the representations received, the Licensing Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy and any relevant section of the statutory guidance issued to licensing authorities by the Secretary of State.

The report set out paragraphs 1.5, 1.6, 2.26, 3.1, 3.10, 6.1, 6.5, 6.27, 7.14, 7.15, 9.12, 9.13, 9.15, 9.16, 9.18, 9.20, 10.1 and 10.3 from the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The report also set out paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.7, 9.12, 9.13, 9.38, 9.39, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in December 2023. 

Mr Guillame Chipchase, National Licensing Manager and Mr Alex Green, Licensing Solicitor, represented the Craft Union Pub Company (the applicant) attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions.

Mike Harding, RBC Licensing Officer, attended presented the report and addressed the Sub-Committee. Tabitha Shaw and Robert Smalley, RBC Licensing Officers, also attended.

In reaching their decision the Sub-Committee gave due consideration to the written evidence contained in the paperwork and the oral evidence presented at the meeting and to the relevant legislation and guidance; and the policies of Reading Borough Council.

Resolved –

(1)            That, after taking into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under section 182 of that Act and Reading Borough Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and having considered the likely effect that granting the application would have on the promotion of the four Licensing Objectives:

·       the prevention of crime and disorder,

·       public safety;

·       the prevention of public nuisance; and

·       the protection of children from harm

and having considered the written and oral representations received from the Applicant and their agent, the professional representations made by the Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team and having read and considered the representations from local residents, the Sub-Committee agreed to grant the Premises Licence, to allow the following licensable activities:

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

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday from       1000hrs to 0000hrs

New Year’s Eve: In addition to the permitted hours for the day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of the permitted hours the following day.

Late Night Refreshment

Sunday to Thursday from       2300hrs until 2330hrs

Friday and Saturday from       2300hs to 0000hrs

New Year’s Eve: In addition to the permitted hours for the day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of the permitted hours the following day.

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2330hrs

Friday and Saturday from       1000hrs to 0030hrs

subject to the conditions that had been agreed between Thames Valley Police, Reading Borough Council and the Applicant as set out in Appendix LIC-2 to the report.