The Chair agreed to the submission of an item of Urgent Business relating to:

Premises Licence (new) 235621 - Bloom Street Convenience Store, 39 Bloom Street, Manchester, M1 3LY

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Hearing Panel was informed that all parties unable to attend for hearing.

Decision

To defer the hearing to a future date.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

Consideration was given to an application for a New Premises Licence. The Hearing was attended by the applicant and Designated Premises Superviser (DPS) and their legal representative Solicitors and supported by an interpreter. In addition, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Licensing Out of Hours (LOOH) and Trading Standards attended to oppose the application.

The Hearing Panel was advised that there had been a previous licence granted to a company under the name of Bilar (Manchester) Ltd and that this company had gone into liquidation in 2009. A transfer of the licence took place subsequently and as a result  a substantial number of conditions were automatically transferred onto the current licence.

It was argued that such conditions would address the concerns of the responsible authorities and ensure that the premises uphold the licensing objectives.

The Hearing Panel was also advised that there had been no complaints made to GMP concerning the running of the premises. The applicant indicated that he would be responsible for carrying out training of staff and indicated that some staff also held licences having attended appropriate licensing training already.

The DPS gave assurances that any alcohol sales would not be carried out after 2am if the licence was granted and a screen would be deployed to cover up any alcohol on show. It further advised that only sales of cigarettes, soft drinks, crisps etc would be made after 2am. As regards public nuisance the Applicant indicated that more staff would be employed with a view to ensuring that the entrance to the premises was supervised who could in turn deal with any such issues arising

GMP stated that the Application was vague and did not instil confidence that the premises would be capable of upholding the licensing objectives. It was pointed out that this was a new application and it was clear that no conditions had been suggested by the premises to alleviate concerns. GMP also expressed concerns as to how the premises would be effectively managed or how staff would be trained and asked that the application be refused. 

LOOH advised the Committee that there was no licence currently in place which allowed the supply of alcohol.

LOOH made a request to the Hearing Panel to provide information which was confidential without the Applicant being present. The Committee agreed to such a request and information was provided that there was an ongoing investigation concerning potential offences being committed by the premises contrary to the Licensing Act 2003.

The view was expressed, with all parties present, that there appeared to be a lack of understanding of what was required to uphold the licensing objectives and LOOH requested that the Application be refused.

Trading Standards representatives stated that the  application was poor and that the Applicant had failed to put in place proactive safeguards which would provide confidence that the licensing objectives would be upheld. It was particularly concerned about the Protection of Children licensing objective being upheld at the premises without suitable conditions being added to the licence.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172.

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is to follow.

The Hearing Panel was informed that all parties unable to attend for hearing.

Decision

To defer the hearing to a future date.

The Hearing Panel was informed that all parties unable to attend for hearing.

Decision

To defer the hearing to a future date.