Agenda item

To consider an application in respect of a new Premises Licence in respect of 253 Fleetwood Road, Blackpool, FY5 1NJ

A. Application and representations submitted. To consider the attached report.

B. Determination of the application for a new Premises Licence – 253 Fleetwood Road

The Licensing Panel will indicate how the decision is to be communicated to interested parties.

The Licensing Panel considered an application from Mr Salvatore Fodera for a new premises licence in respect of 253 Fleetwood Road, Blackpool, FY5 1NJ. Representations had been received from two Councillors who represented the Norbreck Ward, Councillor Maxine Callow and Councillor Julie Sloman.

Mr Fodera appeared before the Panel and explained that his application was to create an online Italian supermarket where customers would order online and then he would deliver the orders. His intention was to deliver the orders himself, but if the business became successful, he may need to employ staff to pack and deliver the orders. This business would operate from a residential address and customers would not attend the property in person.

Mr Fodera advised the Panel that the alcohol would be stored in an extension that he would be making at the rear of the property. He explained that he was unclear as to how the extension would be constructed but assured the Panel that it would be secured and would meet the requirements of the responsible authority.

Answering questions, Mr Fodera confirmed that he would not be selling alcohol by the case, but there would be a minimum order value. He agreed that CCTV would be a useful security measure but did concede that he had not given any thought as to how he would ensure the safety of staff making deliveries, especially if they had to refuse to deliver the order because the recipient appeared to be drunk or under-age. Following extensive questioning about how he would deal with orders placed at the last minute, the Panel established that he did not intend to offer same day deliveries. However the Panel felt that Mr Fodera had not offered any conditions to his application to resolve any of the concerns that had been discussed.

Councillor Maxine Callow and Councillor Julie Sloman addressed the Panel.

Councillor Mrs Callow explained that the area was primarily residential and if this business was successful then deliveries could be dispatched from the property at a range of times, impacting on local residents. Councilor Mrs Callow further commented that the operating schedule did not address the concerns of the impact upon local residents.

Councillor Sloman asked the Panel to accept that the application was premature and that the Panel should expect outline plans for the construction of the alcohol storage facility and the security measures that should be installed.

The Panel considered the application and representations in relation to the licensing objectives and concluded that the application was premature. Although the Panel understood a reluctance to invest money in storage facility before a licence was granted, it would expect to see reasonably detailed plans for its construction and the security measures that would be installed to reduce the prospect of theft, as far as is reasonably possible. It was not the role of the Panel to prescribe how he should build his extension. The Panel also felt that the plans for the online shop required further development along with how any impact on neighbouring properties would be managed before an application could be considered.

The Panel noted that it was possible for an online business to be operated from a residential property without impacting on neighbouring residents, but in this case, there was insufficient information in the application for the Panel to assess the impact on the residents and the licensing objectives.

Resolved:

To refuse the application for a new premises licence at 253 Fleetwood Road, Blackpool, FY5 1NJ.