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

The Subcommittee was informed that since the publication of the papers for this meeting, all representations were subsequently agreed and therefore a decision was no longer necessary. 

Now contains additional information as submitted by the applicant.

The Hearing Panel considered a report from the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding the above application.  The Panel considered the written representations within the papers and the oral representations of the parties who attended the hearing, as well as the relevant legislation.

In reaching its decision the Subcommittee also considered the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Regulations made thereunder, and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of that Act as well as the licensing objectives.

The Subcommittee heard from the Applicant’s Representative that the variation is to extend the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises until 1am daily, in line with it’s current opening times. In relation to the two objections, the Representative stated the Applicant did not dispute some of the content and that alcohol had been served after 11pm on some of the CCTV viewed by the officers however he stated the application should only be refused if the Subcommittee was not satisfied that the Applicant could uphold the licensing objectives if the extended hours were granted. In relation to the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) representation he stated there was nothing other than the visit from January and the CCTV viewed given as reasons to refuse. In relation the objection from Licensing and Out Of Hours (LOOH), he stated that reference was made to all four licensing objectives being undermined however they only in fact referred to crime and disorder. The Applicant’s representative stated there were no other representations, suggestions of anti-social behaviour or other issues at the premises.

The Subcommittee was referred to the Applicant’s bundle which showed extensive CCTV at the premises covering both the internal and external areas. Covers were also in place over the alcohol which was not a condition on the licence but done in an attempt to assist with the operation of the premises.

The Applicant’s Representative informed the Subcommittee that the licence was granted in 2023 following an appearance at the Subcommittee. During that hearing the Applicant reached an agreement with GMP and LOOH to reduce the hours for the sale of alcohol from 1am to 11pm and therefore the Subcommittee’s decision making was somewhat limited.

What was not fully considered by the Applicant were the issues that would be caused by having a terminal hour for the sale of alcohol two hours before the premises, being in the main an off-licence, closed.

The Subcommittee was then shown twelve CCTV videos from the premises between 31^st January and 11^th February 2025. The videos, the majority of which were from 7^th and 8^th February, showed customers entering the premises at various times after 11pm and requesting alcohol and being refused. The Applicant’s Representative also pointed out the confusion of some of the customers that the shop was open and not selling alcohol and that some customers were persistent and asked if they could sneak them the alcohol or if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.