Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Proposal:    Full variation of the Premises Licence

Location:     Sainsbury’s, First Floor, 2 Coombe Square, Chapel Street, Thatcham, West Berkshire, RG19 4JF

Applicant:   Winckworth Sherwood LLP on behalf of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd

NOTICE OF DECISION

The Licensing Sub-Committee of West Berkshire Council (the “Panel”) met on 2 June 2026 and considered the application for the variation of the premise license in respect of premises known as Sainsbury's, First Floor, 2 Coombe Square, Chapel Street, Thatcham, West Berkshire, RG19 4JF (the “Premises Licence”) submitted by Winckworth Sherwood LLP on behalf of Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd on 10 April 2026.

In coming to their decision, the Panel had regard to the four licensing objectives, which are:

1.     the prevention of crime and disorder;

2.     public safety;

3.     the prevention of public nuisance; and

4.     the protection of children from harm.

The Panel also considered the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Guidance on the Licensing Act 2003, the Home Office Revised Guidance issued under S.182 of the Licensing Act, and West Berkshire Council’s licensing policy.

The Panel heard representations made by:

1.               The Store Manager and the Applicant’s Legal Representative: Joe Harding and Robert Botkai

2.               The Responsible Licensing Authority: John Marriott

The Panel also considered the representations of the below who did not attend or speak:

-        Stewart Bateman (Objector)

Having taken those representations into account, the Panel RESOLVED that the Premises License be amended with immediate effect. The Panel also gave the reasons for their decision, which are highlighted below.

1.              Variation:

That Part 1 – Premises details of the Premises Licence under the heading “The times the licence authorises the carrying out of licensable activities” be varied as follows:

Reason:

The Panel considered that the increase in hours was a minor change, and as there had been no objections from the responsible authorities, such as the Police, the Panel did not consider there to be any currently identifiable or potential aggravation of any of the licensing objectives as a result of this variation.

Overall, the Panel agreed that this varied condition would continue to promote the licensing objectives whilst being proportionate and reasonable.

2.              Variation:

To amend the condition under the heading “Protection of Children from Harm” in Annex 2 of the Premises Licence by replacing same entirely with the below condition:

“The premises licence holder will ensure that an age verification policy will apply to the premises whereby all cashiers will be trained to ask any customer attempting to purchase alcohol, who appears to be under the age of 25 years (or older if the licence holder so elects) to produce, before being sold alcohol, identification being a passport or photocard driving licence bearing a holographic mark or other form of identification that complies with any mandatory condition that may apply to this licence”

Reason:

This variation is to standardise the condition initially set therein, and the variation does not soften or excuse any obligation initially set as it may relate to the protection of children from harm.

3.              Deletion:

To expunge the condition under Annex  ...  view the full decision text for item 2.

The Licensing Sub-Committee (the Panel) considered a report (Agenda Item 2(1)) concerning the variation of the Premise License in respect of Sainsbury's, First Floor, 2 Coombe Square, Chapel Street, Thatcham, West Berkshire, RG19 4JF.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, John Marriott (Licensing Officer, West Berkshire Council), Joe Harding (Store Manager), and Robert Botkai (Applicants Legal Representative) addressed the Panel on this application.

All parties to the hearing were provided the opportunity to give evidence and ask questions of the other parties.

When the evidence had been presented and questions concluded, all parties confirmed that they were satisfied that they had been provided a reasonable opportunity to present their case. 

The Panel then retired at 11.05am to make their decision.

Having taken the representations into account, including the written representation, the Panel RESOLVED that the Variation Application be granted as laid out in the Decision Notice.