Issue - meetings

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee were asked to consider an application for a variation to a premises licence for Yarm Lane Convenience Store, 53 Yarm Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2FP under the Licensing Act 2003 to which there had been representations from Responsible Authorities.          

The application was to increase the hours of supply of alcohol, Monday to Sunday from 09:00 - 22:00 to 09:00 - 23:00. Opening hours were to remain the same.

A copy of the full application and existing licence was contained within the main report.

Representations had been received objecting to the variation from, Public Health, Cleveland Police and the Licensing Authority, full details of which were contained within the officers’ report.

The Applicant Mr Muhammed Adnan Rabani and his representative Mrs Gill Sherratt were in attendance and were given the opportunity to make representation.

The Chair introduced all persons who were present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

A copy of the report and supporting documents had been provided to all persons present and to members of the Committee.

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report to the Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee.

Members of the Sub-Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee heard the above application, full details of which appeared before the Members in their agenda and background papers.

The Licensing Officer, Public Health and Cleveland Police submitted their representations to the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee objecting to the application to vary, full details of which were contained within the main committee report.

All parties were given the opportunity to ask questions. The main topics discussed were as follows:

- Mrs Sherratt who was representing the applicant highlighted that her client was only asking for one additional hour and that there had not been any issues at the premises in question and that Cleveland Police had originally supported the application, however had now submitted an objection which was felt was due to the issues at the applicants other premises Dhillon Food & Wine on Dovecot Street which was under review, however this should was not deemed as acceptable as each application should be considered on its own merits.

- Licensing objectives had been upheld for the premises current hours therefore why could this not be upheld for one additional hour?

- There was evidence to support that the application to vary could and should be granted.

- Officers highlighted that other premises in the area had a licence condition for sale of alcohol until 2200 hours and to keep the current licensed conditions would keep this consistent with those other premises.

- PC Andy Thorpe of Cleveland Police explained to the Committee that his mind had not solely changed due to the current review of the applicant’s other premises, Dhillon Food & Wine but was a factor alongside the fact that the area of Parkfield and Oxbridge already had issues and to keep the later time of alcohol sales to 2200 hours would be upholding current licensing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14