To consider an application for the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of the Palmer Tavern, 128 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1JL.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application for the variation of a Premises Licence in respect of the Palmer Tavern, 128 Wokingham Road, Reading, RG6 1JL. The report explained that the premises currently had a Premises Licence that permitted the following licensable activities:

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

Monday to Sunday from         1000hrs until 2300hrs

New Years 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 permitted hours the following

day.

Late Night Refreshment

Monday to Sunday from         2300hrs until 2330hrs

New Years 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 permitted hours the following

day.

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from         1000hrs until 2330hrs

The application submitted by Greene King Brewing and Retailing Limited sought to vary the hours as follows:

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

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday from 1000hrs until 0100hrs

Sundays of a Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 1000hrs until 0100hrs.

Late Night Refreshment

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday from 1000hrs until 0100hrs

Sundays of a Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 1000hrs until 0100hrs.

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from         1000hrs until 2330hrs

Friday and Saturday from       1000hrs until 0130hrs

Sundays of a Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 1000hrs until 0130hrs.

A copy of the Application to Vary a Premises Licence Form was attached to the report at Appendix LIC-1 and a copy of the current Premises Licence was attached at Appendix LIC-2.

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-3.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application two representations had been received by Reading Borough Council from residents. Copies of the representations were attached to the report at Appendix LIC-4 and Appendix LIC-4. The residents submitting the representations were invited to but did not attend the meeting.

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. 

Piers Warne, TLT Solicitors, Paul Daniels, Business Development Manager, Greene King and Samantha Lane, Designated Premises Supervisor, attended the meeting. Mr Warne addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and answered questions on behalf of the applicant.

Mike Harding, RBC Licensing Officer, attended presented the report and addressed the Sub-Committee.

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 additional conditions agreed between the applicant, Reading Borough Council’s Licensing Team and Thames Valley Police and having read and considered written representations from local residents, the Sub-Committee agreed to grant the variation of 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 until 0100hrs

Sundays of a Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 1000hrs until 0100hrs.

Late Night Refreshment

Sunday to Thursday from       1000hrs until 2300hrs

Friday and Saturday from 1000hrs until 0100hrs

Sundays of a Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 1000hrs until 0100hrs.

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public:

Monday to Sunday from          1000hrs until 2330hrs

Friday and Saturday from       1000hrs until 0130hrs

Sundays of a Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve from 1000hrs until 0130hrs.

subject to Condition 1 of the additional conditions proposed by Reading Borough Council Licensing being amended to read:

“The requirement for door supervisors to be employed, on any day of operation of the premises, shall be risk assessed. A written risk assessment shall be carried out by the DPS or nominated representative and produced upon request to authorised officers of Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police.”