Agenda item

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory presents an application to Vary a Premises Licence held by Go Local (with Gulf Petrol Station), Green Lane, Yeadon, Leeds, LS19 7BU

The report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory requested Members consideration on an application to vary a premises licence held by Go Local (with Gulf Petrol Station), Green Lane, Yeadon, Leeds, LS19 7BU.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Ian Rushton, JL Licensing – Applicant’s Representative
• TharmalingamNitharshan – Applicant and existing DPS

The Legal Officer set out the procedures for the meetings.

The Licensing Officer presented the application providing the Licensing Sub Committee with the following information:

• The application was made to extend the Sale by Retail of Alcohol to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and to add the provision of Late Night Refreshment, from 23:00 hours to 05:00 hours every day.
• A history of the premises was provided for Members at Paragraph 2 of the submitted report. A copy of the existing licence was appended to the report at Appendix A.
• The applicant was Tharmalingam Nitharshan. A copy of the application was attached at Appendix B. It was noted that the applicant proposed to promote the licensing objectives by taking additional steps identified in the document attached to the report at Appendix C.
• A map identifying the location of the premises was attached at Appendix D.
• Representation had been received from West Yorkshire Police and in this instance the operating schedule had been amended to include a number of suggested measures. As a result, the representation had been withdrawn and a copy of the agreement was attached to the report at Appendix E.
• The application had also attracted representations from members of the public and a registered charity. These opposed the application primarily on grounds of public nuisance. Copies of the representations were appended to the report at Appendix F.
• Entertainment Licensing were also in receipt of template letters signed by individuals expressing their support for the application and copies of these were attached at Appendix G.
• A list of licensed premises in the area and the licensed hours and activities were provided to the Sub-Committee at Appendix H.

The applicant’s representative provided the following information to the Sub-Committee:

·  The applicant has worked in a convenience store for 20 years which has sold groceries, sweets, alcohol, cigarettes and petrol.  He also has 10 years’ experience at a 24-hour convenience store in Sheffield.

·  Mr Nitharshan passed his personal licence with Croyden Council.

·  Mr Nitharshan has bought the freehold of these premises and is committed to the business and the community.

·  The applicant manages these premises daily with no issues. He currently employs 4 staff, and should he be granted the 24-hours he would need to hire more staff. He is aware that he needs to have well trained staff.

·  The current licence has mandatory conditions. However, Mr Nitharshan has agreed to strengthen these conditions with:

o  CCTV inside and outside with 4 cameras outside. Recordings would be kept for 31 days and images could be supplied to the Responsible Authorities if necessary.

o  Incidents and Refusals logbooks.

o  Regular staff training.

o  Put up ‘respect neighbour’ notices.

o  As per agreement with West Yorkshire Police that all sales between 00:00 and 06:00 will be via a night hatch.

·  No other Responsible Authority has made representation to the application.

·  No Local Ward Councillors have made representations.

·  Mr Nitharshan has tried to alleviate concerns of the objectors and reassure them that he is a good business operator.

·  Any anti-social behaviour cannot be related to his business, it was the view that all localities have issues with anti-social behaviour.

·  Notices would be put up to request that litter is put in bins and he and his staff would make regular checks of the vicinity.

·  Should any young people start to congregate in the area he would ask them to move away or ring the police.

·  Several matters had been highlighted by objectors, but these were not an issue at present and emails had been sent to the objectors to reassure them that Mr Nitharshan would address any issues. One of the objectors had responded to the email from Mr Nitharshan.

·  It was noted that there were also residents who were in support of the application.

In response to questions from the Members the following information was provided:

·  The petrol station has 4 car parking spaces to the side of the store.

·  The business is currently for petrol, groceries, and cigarettes. All purchases are via the night hatch between 11:00pm and 06:00am. However, in agreement with the police this is to be 00:00 until 06:00am.

·  Two months ago, Mr Nitharshan has bought the premises freehold, so he owns the site and the licence had been transferred. He had contacted the police and the Council, and no issues had been highlighted.

Summing up

In summing up the applicant’s representative highlighted the following points:

·  This is an established business which had its licence converted in 2005 when the council took over licensing.

·  Mr Nitharshan has 30 years’ experience in a different city.

·  No representations had been received from Responsible Authorities.

·  There had been 39 letters of support for the application.

·  The shop is popular with residents.

·  A review could be used should there be issues in the future.

Members discussed the application and noted the measures set out by West Yorkshire Police and agreed to.

RESOLVED – To grant the licence as applied for, with the measures as set out by West Yorkshire Police.

The meeting concluded at 12:45