Agenda and minutes

Application for a premises licence made by Mr David Poole under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.

PREMISES

Bargains Galore

7A Western Road

Romford

Essex

RM1 3LD

DETAILS OF APPLICATION

An application for a premises licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”).

APPLICANTS

Mr David Poole

c/o Bargains Galore

7A Western Road

Romford

Essex

RM1 3LD

1.         Details of the application:

Seasonal variations

There were no seasonal variations applied for in the application.

Non-standard timings

There were no non-standard timings applied for in the application.

2.         Promotion of the licensing objectives:

The applicant acted in accordance with premises licence regulations 25 and 26 of the Licensing Act 2003 Regulations 2005 relating to the advertising of the application.  The required public notice was installed in the Yellow Advertiser on 16 May 2012.

It was noted that the premises was located in Havering’s Romford Town Ward. Havering’s 2011  Licensing Policy designates certain stress areas within the borough as saturation zones suffering from the cumulative impact of the number of licensed premises in the vicinity. It was reported that the ring road within Romford Town ward was just such a saturation zone and thus the application was subject to consideration of the appropriate policy.  Licensing Policy 018 states:

“It is the LLA’s policy to refuse applications in Romford within the ring road for pubs and bars, late night refreshment premises offering hot food and drink to take away, off licences and premises offering facilities for music and dancing other than applications to vary hours with the regard to licensing policy 012.”

3.         Details of representations

Valid representations may only address the following licensing objectives:

The prevention of crime and disorder

The prevention of public nuisance

The protection of children from harm

Public safety

There was one valid representation received against the application from an interested party.

There were two representations received against the application from responsible authorities.

Representation from the interested party

The interested party representation largely addressed the ‘public safety’ licensing objective, as well as public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.  It was contended, in summary, that the addition of another premises licence within the Romford Town Centre saturation zone would increase the availability of alcohol to persons who ‘pre-load’ on cheap alcohol before heading to the pubs and clubs of central Romford. By granting the licence, it increases the threat to public safety causing by excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, given its location the shop could be subject to attempted underage proxy sales.

Councillor Frederick Thompson explained at the hearing that the representations made by the Police and the Licensing Authority had covered many of the reports he wished to raise.  One point which had not been addressed was the possibility of proxy purchases made by adults on behalf of children. He urged the Sub-Committee to uphold the saturation policy and refuse the application.

Representations from Responsible Authorities

Licensing Authority:

The representation from the Licensing Authority was based upon perceived failures in the application to adequately promote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.