Agenda item

To consider an application in respect of a new Premises Licence in respect of Nova International, 156 Central Drive

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

B. Determination of the application for a new Premises Licence – Nova International

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

The Licensing Panel considered an application from Mr Gheorghe Camarasan for a new premises licence to permit the sale of alcohol at Nova International Supermarket, 156 Central Drive, Blackpool, FY1 5EA. Representations had been received from the Licensing Authority, Lancashire Constabulary and the Child Protection Licensing Officer.

Mr Camarasan, assisted by his friend Mr Ayaz, appeared before the Panel and explained that the licence would allow for the sale of alcohol to accompany the international foods currently sold within the store. The age of customers would be verified by the presentation of valid identification documents and Mr Camarasan would implement ‘Challenge 25’.

In response to questions from the Licensing Panel Mr Camarasan confirmed that the alcohol to be sold would be international in origin for the most part but would not be specialist or exceptional. 

In response to questions from the other representatives, Mr Camarasan confirmed that he had received help when writing the Challenge 25 information and that this would be his first time running a premises with an alcohol licence. The premises already sold vaping equipment and an ID policy was in place for this.

Mr Lee Petrak, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, presented representations on behalf of the Licensing Authority. He reminded the panel that the premises was situated within Blackpool Council’s Cumulative Impact Assessment Area and that there were already a number of similar off-licensed premises in the immediate vicinity. In his opinion the application was not exceptional as it was for a general convenience store and he recommended that the Panel did not depart from the policy and refuse the application.

Lancashire Constabulary’s representations were presented by PC Guy Harrison who highlighted that the premises was within Blackpool’s Cumulative Impact Assessment Area. The applicant’s intentions were good, however the application was not exceptional in nature and was in an area with a high number of alcohol-related Police incidents.

Mrs Louise Scales, Child Protection Licensing Officer, reminded the panel that the premises fell within the Cumulative Impact Assessment Area and was not an exceptional or specialist store.

In response to questions from the Licensing Panel, Mr Ayaz, who was supporting the applicant, confirmed that he would have a large support network of people with experience of licensed premises, who would provide him with help and advice. The type of alcohol sold would be from countries such as Romania and Poland.

The Panel noted that Blackpool Council’s Licensing Policy stated that applications within the Cumulative Impact Assessment Area should be refused except in genuinely exceptional circumstances. It did not consider that the applicant had established a sufficient case for Members to consider rebutting the presumption of refusal in the Policy. The location already suffered from alcohol related disorder and anti-social behaviour in an area deemed to be saturated with similar premises.

Having considered all the evidence Members concluded that the application did not represent an exceptional case and therefore agreed not to depart from the Policy and refused the application.

Resolved: That the application for a new Premises Licence for Nova International Supermarket, 156 Central Drive, Blackpool be refused.