Agenda item

To give consideration to an application for the grant of a new Premises Licence in respect of The Journal Convenience Store, 21-23 Canterbury Way, Wideopen, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6JQ

The Sub-committee met to consider an application for the grant of a new Premises Licence in respect of the Journal Convenience Store, 21-13 Canterbury Way, Wideopen, NE13 6JQ.

The Applicant, Kamalanathan Sakilan, sought permission for the supply of alcohol (off the premises) each day of the week from 06:00 hours to 23:00 hours, and for the premises to be open to the public each day of the week from 06:00 hours to 23:00 hours. 

Following introductions the Sub-committee’s legal advisor outlined the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

Ms Palmer, Licensing Officer, presented details of the application, the representations received and the options available to the Sub-committee.  She also responded to questions from Members of the Sub-committee and confirmed that there had not been any review of a licence in relation to the premises.

Ms Hannon presented details of her representation in relation to the application and responded to questions from the Members of the Sub-committee.

Mr Khass, representing the applicant, addressed the Sub-committee in support of the application and responded to questions from the Members of the Sub-committee, the legal advisor and the resident present at the meeting.  He also confirmed that the applicant wished to amend the application by reducing the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol to 10.00pm each day.

Each of the parties to the hearing was given the opportunity of summing up their respective cases and the Sub-committee retired to make its decision in private.

All parties were then invited back into the meeting and the Chair announced the Sub-committee’s decision.

Resolved that the application for the grant of a new Premises Licence in respect of the Journal Convenience Store, 21-23 Canterbury Way, Wideopen, NE13 6JQ be approved as follows:

Opening Hours:                 07:00 hours to 22:00 hours daily

Supply of Alcohol:              08:00 hours to 22:00 hours daily

1.     A CCTV system shall be designed, installed and maintained in proper working order, to the satisfaction of, and in consultation with, Northumbria Police.  Such a system shall:

              a)          Be operated by properly trained staff;

              b)          Be in operation and recording at all times that the Premises are open, and capable of generating an accurate date and time of the footage;

               c)          Ensure coverage of all entrances and exits, the till area, and areas where alcohol is stored and any other areas as required by Northumbria Police;

              d)          Be kept in a secure environment under the control of a named responsible individual and fitted with a security function to prevent tampering with the recording (eg. Password protected);

              e)          A member of staff trained in the retrieval of CCTV footage to be present at all times when the Premises are open, with the ability to download and provide the relevant footage at the request of the Police, Licensing Authority or other Responsible Authority;

                f)          Be of a high standard of clarity and capable of recognition of all persons entering the Premises;

              g)          Such recording shall be retained in an unedited format for a minimum of 28 days.

2.     An incident and refusals book or log shall be kept at the Premises which is utilised and maintained at all times.  This will include a record of:

                 i.          Date and time of all challenges made when a customer attempts to purchase alcohol, with reasons for any refusal recorded;

                ii.          Details of any refusal due to intoxication or where there is suspicion of intended supply to a child;

              iii.          Details of any incidents of crime or disorder related to the sale or supply of alcohol at the Premises;

3.     This book/log will be kept at the Premises and made available to the Police, Licensing Authority or other Responsible Authority immediately upon request.

4.     All members of staff shall receive training in respect of their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003 and in adopting the “Challenge 25” policy for the prevention of under-age sales.

5.     No member of staff shall be permitted to sell alcohol until such time as they have successfully completed training.

6.     Refresher training shall be given annually.

7.     Training records shall be kept at the Premises for each member of staff and made available to the Police, Licensing Authority or other Responsible Authority immediately on request.

8.     All members of staff at the Premises shall seek creditable photographic proof of age evidence from any person who appears to be under the age of 25 years and who is seeking to purchase alcohol.  Such creditable evidence, which shall include a photograph of the customer, will either be a passport, photographic driving licence or proof of age card carrying the “PASS” logo and hologram, or a Forces ID card.

9.     Notices shall be clearly displayed at the Premises advising customers of the “Challenge 25” policy and that it is unlawful for persons under 18 years of age to purchase alcohol, or for anyone to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone under 18 years of age.

10.All spirits to be kept behind the counter

Reasons for Decision:

The Sub-committee considered that its concerns in relation to the impact on the licensing objectives would be sufficiently addressed by a combination of conditions offered by the applicant, both in the Operating Schedule and discussed at the hearing, and the conditions imposed by the Sub-committee.