To consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Big Bazaar, 221 Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 8HA.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, the Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Big Bazaar, 221 Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 8HA. The application had been submitted by licensing consultant Mr Manpreet Singh Kapoor on behalf of Mr Satpal Singh Arora. A copy of the Premises Licence Application Form was attached to the report at Appendix RS-1.

The report stated that there was currently no premises licence in force at the premise which had operated as a mobility store since 2014. The premise had previously been licensed twice before, once between 1996 and 2004 and again between 2005 and 2014. On both of the two previous occasions the premise had traded as a convenience store. 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 (Off the Premises):

Monday to Sunday from     0700hrs until 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from     0700hrs until 2300hrs

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 RS-2.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application one representation had been received by Reading Borough Council from local residents. A copy of the representation was attached to the report at Appendix RS-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 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 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 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 to 9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in December 2023. 

Mr Surendra Panchal and Ms Suganthini Mahendran, the applicant's representatives, attended the meeting, Mr Surendra Panchal addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions. Mr Satpal Singh Arora, the applicant, also attended the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee. Robert Smalley, RBC Licensing Officer, attended the meeting, presented the report and addressed the Sub-Committee. The objector did not attend the meeting.

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 Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team and having read and considered the representation received by the Council from a local resident, 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     0700hrs until 2300hrs

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from     0700hrs until 2300hrs

subject to the conditions that had been agreed between Reading Borough Council and the Applicant as set out in Appendix RS-2 to the report.