Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory regarding an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Harehills Lane Grocery Store, 107 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS8 4DN

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory presented an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Harehills Lane Grocery Store, 107 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS8 4DN.

The Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee explained the procedures to be followed and the Senior Licensing Officer outlined the application.

The application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 08:00 to 22:00 every day.

There had not been any representations made to the application from any of the responsible authorities and the Sub-Committee was asked to consider an outstanding representation made from a member of the public.

The following were in attendance:

Mr Jean Mbongola – Applicant

Mr Robert Jordan – Representing the applicant

There was also an objector to the application who wished to remain anonymous.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following was highlighted:

·  There had been a detailed set of conditions offered by the applicant to and there had not been any representations from the responsible authorities.

·  The applicant had submitted detailed training policies and compliance documents.

·  The objection to the application was not clear in how it related specifically to these premises or to the licensing objectives.

·  There had not been any representations made during the consultation period.

·  It was felt the proposed hours of operation were reasonable.  The premises would close one hour earlier than other nearby premises.

·  It was felt that the objections received had been speculative and not necessarily related to this application or the licensing objectives.

·  The applicant would not be serving street drinkers or intoxicated customers.

·  It was requested that the application be granted as applied for.

An objector to the application addressed the Sub-Committee.  The following was highlighted:

·  There were other similar shops nearby.  The opening of another would increase competition and this could lead to the lowering of prices of alcohol that could impact on vulnerable and young people.

·  The premises had a large forecourt and this may encourage people to congregate.

·  There was bright illumination from the signage at the premises and this was a nuisance.

·  Street Pastors from the local Christian organisation were used to clearing up glass bottles in the area.

·  The hours proposed were too long and unnecessary and would give more opportunity and temptation to the vulnerable to purchase alcohol.

·  There had been an increase in alcohol related domestic problems which had increased due to lockdown restrictions.  There would also be problems due to the early closing imposed on public houses.

·  It was suggested that the application be delayed until the pandemic was over.

·  The objector wished the application success with their food retail and suggested that they could focus on non-alcohol drink sales.

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, the following was discussed:

·  Local residents had indicated that they would be happy to have another off licence in the area.  Alcohol would not be the main focus of sales.

·  The applicant would be happy to start alcohol sales later on a Sunday.

·  There was not currently any problem with customers congregating outside of the other off licenses in the area.

In summary, the applicant’s representative raised the following:

·  There could be some leeway offered with regards to the hours of sale on a Sunday.

·  The premises would close at 10.0 p.m. so would not be affected by the current early closing times imposed on other licensed premises.

·  Issues relating to the signage were not a licensing matter.

·  There would not be an issue with alcohol being sold cheaply.  It would not be feasible to sell at a cheaper price than the local supermarket.

·  Alcohol was to be sold as a compliment to other products and other sales could be lost without the ability sell alcohol.

The Chair concluding the open session of the hearing before the Sub-Committee went into private session to make their decision.  All parties were informed that the decision would be sent within five working days.

The Licensing Sub-Committee carefully considered the report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory, the Statement of Licensing Policy and the representations submitted and made at the hearing.

RESOLVED – That the application for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises be granted as follows:

Monday to Saturday: 08:00 to 22:00

Sunday: 10:00 to 22:00