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Agenda item

Simply Local, 610 Holloway Road, N19 3PH - Premises licence variation

Minutes:

The Licensing Officer introduced all parties to the application, which was for a variation premises license under the Licensing Act 2003. The License was to allow the sale by retail of alcohol, off supplies only, Monday to Sunday, 08:00 until 23:00; and the premises to be open to the public, Mondays to Sundays, 07:00 until 23:00.

 

The applicant had agreed conditions with the Licensing Authority, so those representations were withdrawn, and conditions agreed were included in the operating schedule. One resident made a representation. They did not attend the hearing.

 

The applicant informed the Licensing Sub-Committee that there had been prior issues at the premises caused by shoplifting and the resident’s objection, which claimed someone had been assaulted on the premises was also related to shoplifting. Police were called to the incident and were looking for the individual involved. There had been no issues related to shoplifting since the hostel nearby had closed.

 

It was highlighted that the resident did not link their complaints to the licensing objectives, and the applicant had accepted all the conditions outlined by the responsible authority. The shop was about healing and helping people and they cared about the community.  It was explained that they had arranged community events and had protected a resident during a recent incident.

 

Following questions from the Sub-Committee the applicant explained he was aware of the Islington term ‘safe haven’ and confirmed that they were logging incidents. The applicant also kept a log of staff training and proactively helped the police with issues.

 

The applicant explained that when they first opened, they would give food close to its expiry date to the hostel. When the issues with shoplifting began, they met with the police and hostel management and the police suggested banning hostel residents. A select number were targeting them, but the majority were able to continue shopping with them.

 

In summary, the applicant explained the premises was an organic shop that was community based, and a family business that cared about local people. The alcohol served would be mostly middle range as they understood the impact alcohol could have on people. It was highlighted that they wanted to encourage a healthy lifestyle so their would-be certain drinks they wouldn’t sell.

 

The Chair informed those present that the legal advisor would inform them if legal advice was provided during the decision making.

 

RESOLVED

The Sub-Committee has decided to grant the application for a variation of premises licence in respect of Simply Local, 610 Holloway Road, N19 3PH. To allow:-

 

1) The sale by retail of alcohol, off supplies only, Mondays to Sundays, 9am until 11pm; and

2) The premises to be open to the public, Mondays to Sundays, 7am until 11pm.

 

Conditions detailed on pages 201 to 203 of the agenda shall be applied to the licence.

 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

This meeting was facilitated by Zoom.

 

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 Policies 2 & 3. The premises fall within the Finsbury Park and Holloway cumulative impact area. Licensing policy 3 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 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 application was for a variation of an existing licence the effect of which was to seek permission to sell alcohol (off sales) on Sundays. The applicant agreed additional conditions with the Licensing Authority in relation to the start time (9am) the number of staff and the percentage of the area of the shop that would be allocated to display of alcohol for sale.

 

One local resident objection had been received. There had been no representations made by the responsible authorities.

 

The Sub-Committee noted that the applicant had engaged with residents.

 

The Sub-Committee noted that the hours sought were within the hours specified in licensing policy 6. The Sub-Committee also noted that only 15% of the shop floor would be used to store/sell alcohol.

 

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that the comprehensive operating schedule demonstrated high standards of management and that the proposed use, with the extensive conditions agreed, meant that the premises would not add to the cumulative impact.

 

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that granting the premises licence was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives

 

 

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