Agenda item

An application has been made for a new premises licence for Manor Park Convenience Stores, 83 Mellstock Avenue, Dorchester for the sale of alcohol, off the premises.  The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted a relevant representation.  A Licensing Sub Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the application, for a new premises licence for Manor Park Convenience Store, for the sale of alcohol off the premises Monday to Sunday 0600 to 2300 hours.  

 

There were no representations received from the Responsible Authorities, but five representations were received from members of the public. The applicant had offered to reduce the sale of alcohol to 0800 to 2200 hours but only if all the representations were withdrawn before the hearing. Not all the representations were withdrawn so this offer was withdrawn and the original hours of 0600hours to 0300 hours applied.

 

On behalf of the applicant, Mr Savill informed the Sub-Committee that the applicant hoped this shop and his other shop in Chickerell would become an asset to the community. The applicant was an experienced licence holder and manager of premises, with over 10 years of experience.  No other Responsible Authorities had made any representations. The applicant’s business in Chickerell was a well-run business, with no complaints or issues and there was no evidence to show that the Manor Road premises would be any different. The operating schedule was clear and had a comprehensive set of conditions.  The shop would be a part of the ‘Premier’ franchise, and the company would check that the Premises was being run properly. He highlighted that the application only related to the sale of alcohol and not whether the shop should be there or not. The Premises would have CCTV with a camera directed towards the outside area so any anti-social behaviour would be recorded and reported to the police. Closing at 11pm did not mean that the Premises would become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. The applicant was aware of the consequences for his business if there were any issues and he wanted to be a good neighbour. He had a good working relationship with Dorset police and other Responsible Authorities.

 

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Mr Nallappan confirmed that he would call the Police if there were any problems with people congregating outside the premises. There would be up to five members of staff in the premises, and they would all be trained before being allowed to sell alcohol.

 

Mr Harden supported the shop itself and agreed that it could be an asset to the area but raised concerns around the sale of alcohol until 11 pm each day. He recognised that CCTV could help with a prosecution but does not necessarily act as a deterrent. The CCTV system would not cover all around the shop. He informed that the Chinese takeaway in the parade of shops had been used as a comparison but viewed this as a different operation as food was delivered to customers and a few people came to collect their food and then left quickly. He understood that the takeaway was licenced to sell alcohol but only to 9.30 pm and was closed on a Sunday.

 

Mr Richardson raised concerns about antisocial behaviour especially if the licence was granted until 11 pm daily. A licence that extended to 11pm, 7 days a week went well beyond what was acceptable and reasonable for the area. He added that if alcohol could be sold up until 8 pm this would prevent problems occurring later in the evening.

 

All parties were given the opportunity to have their say and sum up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decision: To GRANT a Premises Licence with the usual mandatory conditions and the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule as set out below, to permit the following:

 

Supply of alcohol (off the premises)

Monday to Sunday 0600-2300 hours

 

Hours open to the public

Monday to Sunday 0600-2300 hours

 

Conditions Consistent with the Operating Schedule

 

A suitable and sufficient CCTV system with recording facilities will be in place at site and will operate at all times the premises is open for licensable activities. Images will be retained for a period of no less than 31 days. Access to the equipment and recordings will be provided to the Police or other relevant officers of a responsible authority within 24 hours of the being made.

 

Staff will be trained with regard to their responsibilities in the retail sale of alcohol and regular refresher training will also be undertaken (minimum of every 6 months). Written training records can be made available for inspection upon reasonable request by the Police or other relevant officers of a responsible authority.

 

A refusals log will be operated and maintained and will be produced to a relevant officer of the Police or other relevant officers of a responsible authority upon reasonable request. The log will be checked, signed and dated on a regular basis.

 

An incident log will be operated and maintained and will be produced to a relevant officer of the Police or other relevant officers of a responsible authority upon reasonable request. The log will be checked, signed and dated on a regular basis.

 

A Challenge 25 policy will be operated at the premises. Acceptable forms of identification are a passport, photo-card driving licence and PASS accredited identification card.

 

Spirits (with the exception of spirit mixers and premixed spirit drinks) will be located behind the counter.