RECORD OF A HEARING FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE FOR 46 HIGH STREET, KEIGHLEY (DOCUMENT “U”)

Commenced: 1000

Adjourned: 1010

Reconvened: 1015

Concluded: 1020

Members of the Panel:

Bradford District Licensing Panel: Councillors Slater (Chair), BM Smith and Hawkesworth

Parties to the Hearing:

Responsible Authorities:

PC Lord, Licensing Officer, West Yorkshire Police

PC Hassan, Licensing Officer, West Yorkshire Police

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 West Yorkshire Police had submitted an objection as the applicant had been convicted of two offences on 24 November 2017 and 11 April 2018 in relation to illegal cigarettes and tobacco.  The applicant had links to both 18 and 46 High Street, Keighley and the Police had requested that the application be refused under the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

The representative of West Yorkshire Police addressed the Panel explaining that several seizures of illicit tobacco had taken place at 18 High Street, Keighley where the applicant had been the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).  Following the confiscation he had applied to be the premises licence holder and DPS at the premises and the removal of more illegal tobacco followed.  Members noted that the sale of illicit tobacco was not a victimless crime and the S182 Guidance for the Licensing Act clearly stated that “the sale or storage of smuggled tobacco” should be treated seriously.  The applicant had been found guilty at Bradford Crown Court and his personal licence had been revoked, therefore, he could not be a DPS of a premises.  The representative of West Yorkshire Police indicated that the applicant was not a suitable person to hold a premises licence and it was believed that he would continue to sell illegal goods.  He stated that the application should be refused as an approval would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder objective.

A Member questioned whether the applicant had been sentenced and was informed that the Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had prosecuted both offences and the business owner had also been charged.

In conclusion the representative of West Yorkshire Police requested that the application be rejected as it was a clear cut case and he believed that illegal activity would continue if the licence was granted.