Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application for the grant of a premises licence, made by WM Morrisons Supermarkets PLC for Morrisons M Local 12-14 Infirmary Street Leeds LS1

(report attached)

  The Sub-Committee having regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the Statement of Licensing Policy and the Statutory Guidance, considered an application for the grant of a premises licence to WM Morrisons Supermarkets PLC, for an M Local at 12-14 Infirmary Street LS1, which was located in the amber zone of the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP).  The application had attracted a representation from a local businessman.  As the objector did not attend the hearing, the Panel dealt with his concerns on the basis of his written representation

  Present at the hearing were:

  Ms Johnson – applicant’s legal representative

  Ms Wood – representing the applicant

  At the start of the hearing, Ms Johnson raised an issue in respect of conflicting information she had received on whether the CIP applied to off licences.  The Licensing Officer confirmed that in this case, the CIP did apply

  Ms Johnson –presented the application which was for the sale of alcohol from 06.00 – 00.00 Monday – Sunday, for consumption off the premises only at the new M Local store at 12-14 Infirmary Street LS1

  Members were informed that alcohol sales would represent only 15% of sales and that in response to concerns raised by West Yorkshire Police (WYP), no single cans of beer, lager or cider would be sold; and other than specialist branded, premium priced products, no beer, lager or cider with an alcohol content of 6.5% or above would be sold.  WYP had subsequently withdrawn their objection to the application in view of the conditions being offered by the applicant

  Ms Johnson stated that Morrisons was an experienced and responsible retailer which had hundreds of the M Local stores around the country which operated with the hours being sought for the new Leeds store.  Since representing the company over the last four years, Ms Johnson advised that Morrisons had not received a prosecution or review of their premises licences which was felt to be a testament to the policies and procedures the company operated in respect of its obligations under the licensing objectives

  The representation which remained outstanding was from a local trader, with Ms Johnson stating that need and the impact on other premises were not relevant considerations under the Licensing Act.  In terms of the issues raised in the written representation, Ms Johnson considered these to be speculation and that no evidence had been provided to bear out the concerns which had been raised

  In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Ms Wood confirmed the number of staff which would be on duty, particularly late at night and advised that all of the staff would be trained including on under-age sales.  Members were also informed that Morrisons employed an independent company to carry out spot tests on Challenge 25 as well as using mystery shoppers, so premises were highly regulated

  Regarding the problem of litter around the premises, Ms Johnson stated the applicant had a litter policy which required regular checks by staff in the immediate area of the store

  The Sub-Committee carefully considered the written and verbal representations from the applicant and the written representation from a local businessman

  The Sub-Committee welcomed the measures taken by the applicant in response to concerns which had initially been raised by WYP and subsequently withdrawn due to conditions on the licence being offered

  RESOLVED -  To grant the application as applied for with the additional conditions as agreed with WYP