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 and the provision of late night refreshment.

Members are invited to consider the information and documents referred to in this this report and, after hearing individuals, bodies or businesses, determine the related application.

((Melanie McGurk – 01274 431873)

RECORD OF A HEARING FOR A PREMISES LICENCE FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOL FOR CONSUMPTION OFF THE PREMISES AND THE PROVISION OF LATE NIGHT REFRESHMENT AT MRH ARKLE FILLING STATION, 262 BARKEREND ROAD, BRADFORD

Commenced: 1100

Adjourned: 1121

Reconvened: 1134

Concluded: 1135

Present

Members of the Panel

Bradford District Licensing Panel: Councillor M Slater (Chair) Councillor Azam and Councillor Godwin

Parties to the Hearing

Representing the Applicant:

Mr Botkai – Solicitor

Mr Leaning – Area Manager

Representations

The Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services presented a report (Document “Q”) which outlined an application for a new premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises and the provision of late night refreshment.

The solicitor for the applicant made representations in support of the application, explaining the trading history of the premises and stressing that the company which now owned it had over 700 petrol stations in its portfolio. Applications were being submitted for all stores that needed to have their retail offer regularised to match other stores, in line with current Government guidance.

He noted that no representations had been made by the Police in respect of this application and that the representations which had been received were in the form of two petitions with no lead petitioner identified or present at this hearing. He acknowledged that the concerns in the petition were often presented but considered that they were based on the fear of what may happen. He also noted that health concerns were not a valid objection under the licensing objectives. He made it clear that if residents did encounter problems, they should contact him and that, if no resolution was secured, residents had the option of requiring a review of the premises. He also confirmed that it had never yet been necessary to go to review.

He stressed that products such as strong beers and lagers or alcohol in single cans would not be sold and that staff were fully trained before being allowed to sell alcohol and were given refresher training thereafter. If it was necessary to have a single member of staff at night, the store was locked and all sales took place via the night pay till. He concluded by stressing that the store was a good Spa supermarket and that no responsible authorities had seen fit to object to this application.   

The Chair queried whether CCTV was already in place and whether staff were familiar with the Challenge 25 policy. He was assured that CCTV was in place and that the company did use Challenge 25.  In response to further questions from the Chair, the solicitor advised that there would usually be more than one personal licence holder for the premises; that all staff were fully trained before being allowed to sell alcohol and that refresher training was given every six months.

In response to questions from another member, the solicitor advised that the premises were both a service station and a convenience store and that a twenty four hour licence had been applied for to give flexibility around trading hours.

In conclusion, he stressed that the company was aware of its responsibilities as a licensee and that, in the absence of any evidence to prevent it, the Panel should approve the application.

Resolved –

That, having considered all valid representations made by the parties to the hearing; valid written representations received during the statutory period; the published statement of licensing policy and relevant statutory guidance, the panel grants the application as applied for.

ACTION: Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services

Chair

Note: This record is subject to approval as a correct record at the next meeting of the Licensing Committee