The Assistant Director Waste, Fleet and Transport Services will present a report (Document “Q”) which outlines an application for a new premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises for the Rezgar Mini Market, 512-514 Great Horton Road, Bradford.

Members are invited to consider the information and documents referred to in this report and, after hearing interested parties, determine the related application.

(Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)  

RECORD OF A HEARING FOR A PREMISES LICENCE FOR REZGAR  MINI MARKET, 512-514 GREAT HORTON ROAD, BRADFORD (DOCUMENT “Q”)

Commenced: 1530

Adjourned: 1635

Reconvened: 1650

Concluded: 1655

Present:

Members of the Panel:

Bradford District Licensing Panel:Councillors M Slater (Chair), Peart and Hawkesworth

Parties to the Hearing:

Representing the Licensee:

Mrs J Clarke, representing the applicant

Mr Abdullah, applicant

Responsible Authority

Mr Clutterbrook, West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

Interested Party:

Councillor A Ahmed

Representations:

The licensing officer in attendance summarised the background to the application and valid representations received as set out in the report.  Members were informed that the applicant had requested operating hours from 0800 to midnight, Monday to Sunday and proposed steps to address the Licensing Objectives, which, if granted, would be placed as conditions on the licence.  The licensing officer stated that representations had been received from West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) and a Ward Councillor.  It was noted that a test purchase of illegal tobacco had been carried out at the premises on 7 March 2018 and a Review of the licence had been undertaken when the business had been known as the ‘International Food Store’, which had resulted in the licence being revoked.  Members were informed that a new application for a licence had then been submitted, however, WYTSS did not believed that the licensing objectives would be met.  A Ward Councillor had also objected as they believed that illegal tobacco sales were ongoing at the premises.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Panel and explained that the applicant had contacted her on 13 March 2018 in relation to the application for a new premises licence.  Members noted that the applicant had signed a tenancy agreement for the property on 10 March 2018 and had been informed of the Review only one day prior to it taking place.  The applicant had purchased the business believing it was licenced and the statements submitted referred to the previous occupier of the premises before 7 March 2018. 

The applicant’s representative confirmed that the applicant had applied for a temporary licence from 11 April to 29 April 2018.  He had a compliance box, which contained documents such as a refusal policy and this had been in use since he had taken ownership.  All the alcohol had been removed from the shop on 29 April 2018 when the temporary licence had ceased and the applicant had undertaken everything possible to comply with the licensing objectives.  The applicant’s representative stated that her client’s reputation had been tarnished, as he had not been aware of the problems at the premises and he was being punished when it was not relevant.  The Panel were informed that the applicant had bought the premises when it had been known as ‘Rezgar Mini Market’ and it would be changed to ‘Great Horton Supermarket’ if the licence was granted.  Unfortunately the landlord had not been able to attend the hearing to verify the tenancy.  The applicant’s representative indicated that the owner was a family man, who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.