Agenda and minutes

The Licensing Panel considered the appointment of a Chairman for the meeting.

Resolved:

That Councillor Hutton be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:-

(1) the type of interest concerned

(2) the nature of the interest concerned; and

(3) whether they have or have not sat on a Planning Committee which has previously considered a planning application in respect of a licensed premises which is also subject to consideration for a premises licence as part of the agenda for this meeting.

If any Member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

(Members are asked to also pay particular attention to the guidance sheet on interests supplied with the agenda).

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

The Chairman explained the procedure for the meeting including that an equal time limit of twenty minutes for all parties.

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

b. DETERMINATION OF THE APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE- 60 Coronation Street

c. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE- 60 Coronation Street

The Licensing Panel considered an application for a Premises Licence at 60 Coronation Street. The application contained a request for permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 08.00 – 21.00 hours daily.

The applicant, Ms Monika Wyczolkowskawas in attendance accompanied by a friend, and outlined the application. They highlighted the proposed operating style of the premises and the measures they would undertake to minimise the impact of further alcohol sales in the off-licence saturation zone within which they intended to operate. Ms Wyczolkowska explained that she had experience in operating a convenience store but not in the sale of alcohol.  However, the applicant further explained that as a responsible operator she intended to take steps to minimise disruption caused by the sale of alcohol though the precise details had not been included in the operating schedule submitted to the Licensing Service.

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 of the premises 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.

Mr Marshall then invited a local resident, Mr Charlie Doherty to act as his witness to the issues identified in the area close to the applicant’s premises. Mr Doherty described a number of alcohol related incidents that had occurred in the area and the difficulties he and other residents had experienced as a result.

PC Ben Reynolds from Lancashire Constabulary echoed the sentiments of the other objectors and described a pattern of Police involvement in a number of alcohol related incidents at various addresses close to the applicant’s premises.

The Licensing Panel also considered the objections of social services 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 not exceptional in any way and should be refused.

The Licensing Panel considered carefully the evidence submitted by all parties and agreed that the application was not exceptional in any way with regard to the Council’s off-licence saturation policy. 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 60 Coronation Street.