Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The Sub-Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 2(1)) concerning Licensing Application 11/00500/LQN in respect of 12 High Street, Theale, RG7 5AN.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Emilia Matheou (Licensing Officer, West Berkshire Council); and Mr Grewal (Applicant), addressed the Sub-Committee on this application.

Ms Matheou in addressing the Sub-Committee raised the following points:

·                    On 18 April 2011 West Berkshire Council’s Licensing Department received an application for a premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 from Mr Parmjit and Mrs Kashmir Grewal, 12 High Street, Theale, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 5AN. The application was for:

·                    Supply of alcohol (off the premises) 08.00 – 23.00hrs Monday to Sunday. Hours premises open 06.00 – 23.00hrs.

·                    The consultation period for the above named premises ran from 19 April 2011 to 26 May 2011. Within the prescribed 28 day consultation period the Licensing Department received one representation from Mr D Malam. This was based on two of the four Licensing Act objectives:

·                    Prevention of Crime and Disorder

·                    Public Safety

·                    No mediation had taken place. 

Mr Grewal did not wish to say anything in addition to the information contained in the report. Members of the Sub-Committee did however ask Mr Grewal some questions and in response he made the following points:

·                    There were three other off licences in Theale High Street.

·                    He did not know the objector, Mr Malam, in any capacity.

·                    The address given in the application of St Leonard’s Road, Windsor was the location of another existing shop. Mr Grewal added that he had run such businesses for 15 or 16 years and had never received any complaints relating to the concerns raised by the objector.

·                    In response to the concern raised by Mr Malam that there would be an increase in the supply of alcohol into later hours, Ms Matheou advised that there was no cumulative impact policy and this could not be grounds on which to refuse the application. Mr Grewal added his view that this would give consumers a greater opportunity to get the right price. He did not view his establishment as creating an increase in alcohol sales, rather the business would be shared more widely. In addition, all the off licences in the High Street had the same closing time.

·                    Mr Grewal was not aware of any incidents of anti social behaviour in Theale High Street.

The Sub-Committee noted that Mr Malam was not able to attend the hearing but confirmed that they would take his written submission into account in arriving at a decision.

The Sub-Committee retired at 2.15pm to make its decision.

The Sub-Committee returned at 2.30pm and Alison Beynon (Solicitor) read out the Notice of Decision.

Having taken the representations into account, including the written representation made by Mr Malam, the Licensing Sub-Committee RESOLVED that Application 11/00500/LQN be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the operating schedule and any relevant mandatory conditions in ss19-21 of the Licensing Act 2003.