Issue - meetings

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee were asked to consider an application for Grant of a Premise Licence for Akshayan Convenience Store – 13 Rochester Road, Stockton on Tees.

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. All parties present were given the opportunity to make representation.

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before Members in their committee papers.

The Committee noted that the application was for the grant of a Premises Licence as detailed in the application appended to the Committee report.

Mr Shan who was representing Mr Rajaruban was given the opportunity to explain to the Committee that he himself was experienced in running fuel stations and convenience stores across the UK since becoming a retailer in 1999. The Committee understood that Mr Shan was Mr Rajaruban’s previous employer and that was why he was representing him today.

Mr Shan informed Members that Mr Rajaruban had worked at fuel stations for seven years and had never experienced any issues. Mr Shan expressed Mr Rajaruban’s wished to engage with the community and protect children from alcohol and age restricted products, as he was a family man with three young boys himself.

Mr Shan assured the Committee that Mr Rajaruban had always complied with the requirements of the relevant legislation and policies and would be a responsible retailer. Mr Shan informed the Committee that in the premises that Mr Rajaruban had worked at, he had never failed a test purchase in relation to the sale of alcohol or other age restricted products.

Mr Shan advised the Committee that an extensive list of conditions had been agreed with Cleveland Police, which demonstrated that the premises would be run in a responsible manner and would not undermine the licensing objectives. The premises had an extensive CCTV system including audio recording and would operate a Challenge 25 policy to ensure that there were no underage sales of alcohol.

In response to the Committee’s questions, Mr Shan confirmed that he was not in any way connected with the business and was simply supporting Mr Rajaruban as his representative and friend.

Mr Shan told the Committee that Mr Rajaruban did not take the law lightly and was a fit and capable person to hold a licence.

Mr Shan confirmed to the Committee that Mr Rajaruban wished to amend his application in order that the hours for the supply of alcohol was from 9:00 hours until 22:00 hours Monday to Sunday in line with the Council’s Licensing Policy.

Councillors were given an opportunity to ask questions of the applicant.

The Committee read and had regard to a representation received from a resident who lived nearby and who wished to object to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12