Agenda item

a. APPLICATION AND REPRESENTATIONS SUBMITTED. To consider the attached report

b. DETERMINATION OF THE APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE- Grosvenor Stores

c. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE- Grosvenor Stores

The Licensing Panel considered an application for a Premises Licence at Grosvenor Stores, 226 Church Street. The application contained a request for permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 08.00 – 22.00 hours daily and 08.30-22.00 on Sundays.

The applicant, Mr Araz Said was in attendance and outlined the application. He described how the premises was operated and the measures he had undertaken to minimise the impact of further alcohol sales in the off-licence saturation zone within which the premises would operate. Mr Said explained that he had experience in operating a convenience store in Birmingham in an area with deprivation issues before moving to Blackpool. The applicantadded that as a responsible operator he had already taken steps to minimise disruption caused by the sale of alcohol including the use of CCTV, employing two staff during evening shifts, operating a Challenge 25 policy to reduce the likelihood of alcohol sales to minors and not selling high strength, cheap alcohol.

Mr Mark Marshall, Licensing and Health and Safety Manager, Blackpool Council, was in attendance and outlined the concerns of the Licensing Authority and Public Health regarding the operation of the premises based on previous problems with alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the immediate vicinity and within Talbot Ward more generally. The Licensing Panel was reminded of the Off-Licence Saturation Policy in relation to the number of licensed premises operating within the boundaries of the agreed zone.  However, Mr Marshall advised that the applicant had been compliant and had approached the Authority for advice about making an application for a Premises Licence.  He added that the issues identified during his visit to the premises on 2 December 2016 had been rectified almost immediately by the applicant.

PC Emma Pritchard from Lancashire Constabulary echoed the sentiments of the other objectors and described Police involvement in various alcohol related incidents close to the applicant’s premises.

The Licensing Panel also considered the objections of the Child Protection Licensing Officer as outlined in the agenda as no representative was in attendance.

Mr Marshall summarised that in his opinion, the application to operate a licensed premises was of a reasonable standard. The applicant had demonstrated a strong work ethic and willingness to adhere to the Licensing Authority’s guidelines. In addition, Mr Said had outlined various measures designed to limit the impact of alcohol sales from the premises. However, Mr Marshall acknowledged that despite this, the application itself was not exceptional in any way.

The Licensing Panel carefully considered the evidence submitted by all parties and

agreed that the application was indeed not exceptional in any way with regard to the Council’s Off-Licence Saturation Policy. Despite a belief that the applicant had put forward some good points in his representations, Members agreed that to grant the application would undermine the promotion of one of the Licensing Objectives and that imposing appropriate conditions would be ineffective in preventing the problems identified.

Resolved:

To refuse the application for a Premises Licence at Grosvenor Stores, 226 Church Street.