Agenda item

The licensing officer reported that there was no additional documentation to the report.

The applicant’s representative stated that the applicant had 23 years’ experience.  He had held a personal licence since 2003 and had owned shops previously.   The shop was a convenience community store. The premises was not in a cumulative impact zone. Opening times would be the same as for the sale of alcohol so there would be no risk in selling alcohol without shutters. Conditions had been agreed with the police and the noise team. Conditions were proposed to discourage street drinking which included, drinks being sold with less that 5.5% abv and no small bottles of spirits. Invoices would be kept. There had been no representations from the responsible authorities and two objections from residents with one resident in support. There had been an issue raised about untidiness outside, but this was not outside this premises and was over the road. There was a condition to keep the area tidy. CCTV would prevent loitering and patrons would be asked to leave the area. It was not considered that the premises would cause problems with residents. It was a community-based shop and the applicant would not wish to upset the neighbours which would be bad for business. He considered that concerns raised by residents would be addressed with the proposed conditions.

In response to questions from members it was noted that a contact number would be placed in the shop window for residents. Any complaints would be noted in the incident book.

In summary, it was noted that the applicant was an experienced operator and had never had any problems with the police. This was a community shop and it was expected to achieve a regular customer base.

RESOLVED

1)      That the application for a new premises licence, in respect of Fairbridge Mini Market, 163a Fairbridge Road, N19 3HS, be granted to allow:-

a)          The sale of alcohol, off supplies only from Mondays to Sundays from 8am to 11pm.

b)          The premises opening hours to be Monday to Sundays from 8am to 11pm.

Conditions as detailed at pages 154 to 157 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Sub-Committee listened to all the evidence and submissions and read all the material. The Sub-Committee reached the decision having given consideration to the Licensing Act 2003, as amended, and its regulations, the national guidance and the Council’s Licensing Policy.

The Sub-Committee took into consideration Licensing Policy 4.  The Council has adopted a special policy relating to cumulative impact in relation to shops and other premises selling alcohol for consumption off the premises.  Licensing policy 4 creates a rebuttable presumption that applications for the grant or variation of premises licences which are likely to add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused or subject to certain limitations, following the receipt of representations, unless the applicant can demonstrate in the operating schedule that there will be no negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives.

The Licensing Authority received two letters of representation in opposition to this application from local residents and one letter of support. Conditions had been agreed with the Metropolitan Police and the Council’s Noise Service. No representations were made by any other Responsible Authority.

The Sub-Committee noted that the hours sought were within the hours specified core hours in licensing policy 6. The sale of alcohol was not the main business of the undertaking. The premises are outside a designated Cumulative impact area and are not near schools or other vulnerable institutions.

The Sub-Committee was accordingly satisfied that the exemptions to the cumulative impact were applicable and that the presumption brought into consideration by Licensing Policy 4 were rebutted.

The Sub-Committee concluded that the granting of the licence with the agreed conditions would promote the licensing objectives.