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, made by One Stop Stores Limited, for One Stop 64 - 66 Cross Gates Road, Cross Gates, Leeds, LS15 7NN.

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory submitted a report for Members’ consideration on an application for the grant of a premises licence, made by One Stop Stores Limited, for One Stop 64-66 Cross Gates Road, Cross Gates, Leeds, LS15 7NN

Attending the meeting were:

• Hardish Purewal, Licensing Manager, Tesco Group
• Daniel Harris, Area Manager, One Stop
• Angela Chapman, Store Manager/Proposed DPS
• Mrs. Shires, Public Objector
• Mrs. Brogden, Public Objector

The Legal Officer explained the procedure for the hearing.

The Licensing Officer presented the application informing the Members of the following points:

• The application had been made by One Stop Stores Ltd and was a new application for a new premises.
• Responsible authorities and Ward Members had been consulted on the application.
• Agreements with EPT and WYP had been reached and proposed conditions from both authorities had been attached to the operating schedule.
• In summary, the application was for sale by retail of alcohol for consumption off the premises every day from 6:00 to 23:00.
• A copy of the application form was available at appendix A, a map of the locality was available at appendix B, agreement with EPT at appendix C, agreement with WYP at appendix D, public representations at appendix E, and other local licensed premises at appendix F.
• There were 7 submitted objection comments which expressed concerns regarding crime and disorder and nuisance, one objector held fear of retribution.

The applicant’s representative provided the following information:

• The application had been made in order to sell alcohol as part of the stock for a new convenience store.
• The area manager had been in post for 10 years and their jurisdiction covered 27 stores across the district of Leeds.
• The store manager and proposed DPS had worked for One Stop since 2005 and had 6 years of store management experience. They would be the point of contact for residents and lived nearby the premises.
• One Stop operated 700 stores nationally, had over 10,000 employees. 300 of the shops were franchised but this store would not be.
• The model of shop was convenience and to top up on supermarket shopping, alcohol was proposed to be sold to supplement other products and each One Stop was tailored to local needs. The shop was expected to open in October 2023.
• Staff for the shop had been recruited from the local area and were in the process of being trained by the store manager, this included stocking, security and sales and would be refreshed when necessary.
• The store would operate a good neighbour policy and run initiatives such as raising money for charity and running food bank donations. It was noted that the store would be happy to join resident organisations and work with the community.
• A good relationship with WYP was outlined, with the licensing manager being in liaison with local Officers and was a direct contact for them should any issues arise.
• The licensing manager was involved with a standards group for the industry and provided guidance for small shops regarding responsible sales of alcohol.
• To responsibly sell alcohol, the One Stop organisation was involved with the Portman Group and Drink Aware and operated high standards to ensure public safety and no sales to people under the legal age, as well as Challenge 25.
• Any new public health or Home Office policy and guidance regarding alcohol sales were privately audited by One Stop and training standards were noted to always be followed.
• The concerns that alcohol will be sold to drunk people expressed in objection comments were addressed, noting staff will be trained on licensing objectives, empowering staff to be able to make the right call. The till will bring up a reminder of policy when alcohol is scanned, and details of all checked ID’s will be recorded.
• Security measures were outlined as, robust CCTV with screens displayed at the door and checkout, spirits will be stored behind the counter and security panic alarms and instant door locks were installed at all One Stop locations.
• The prices for alcohol were set nationally by the organisation.
• In reaching agreement with EPT and WYP, the licensed hours had been adjusted and appropriate conditions, such as litter picks were attached.
• Any issues local residents may raise can be dealt via the chain of command through the organisation, beginning with the store manager and then higher depending on the severity of a potential incident or concern.
• There was no concern for anti-social behaviour raised by WYP or EPT.
• The application should be determined on its own merits and reference to other businesses in objections were not relevant to this case.

Responding to questions from Members the Sub-Committee were informed the following by the applicant team:

• It was confirmed that the premises was not within a Cumulative Impact Area which had been referenced in objection comment 7.
• The ‘mag safe’ door locks were to be used if a potentially threatening or dangerous person tries to enter the premisses with one button automatically locking the doors. The staff safe lanyards can be used to contact a remote security team should a staff member feel unsafe.
• The proposed DPS had been involved in provision for foodbanks and the Pudsey Community Project as part of their role at a different One Stop store.
• All efforts to mitigate anti-social behaviour will be implemented to limit disturbance to residents and keep staff safe who may be leaving work late at night.
• The hours starting from 6:00 had been applied for as the world operates on a 24 hour schedule and people coming off a night shift may want a drink after their shift when they return home. Alcohol would not be sold to drunk people in the morning.
• Most customers were expected to travel to the shop on foot and the majority were expected to be from the local area.
• The premises was currently a vacant shop.
• It was outlined that trading hours were discussed regularly with the regional manager and if a store manager felt there were issues WYP or high management will be contacted. Hours may also be varied if trade was low.

The objecting parties addressed the Sub-Committee providing the Members with the following information:

• Concern regarding the hours of sale were expressed with 6:00 being very early to begin sales and 23:00 being late. Shops within the locality seemed to close around 21:00 due to nuisance.
• The premises was located on a dual carriageway with residential housing opposite leading to the potential for unsafe and inconsiderate parking.
• The congregation of groups of people late at night outside shops had led to feelings of insecurity.
• A nearby house had been burglarised recently and late night sale of alcohol may attract undesirable people to the residential area.
• The area had experienced disturbance late into the night with underage drinking on the streets.
• The early hours for sale may impact young people negatively and expose children to irresponsible alcohol use.
• There had previously been a wine shop on the street which had closed earlier that licensed due to drunk people creating disturbance.
• People will only shop for alcohol in the later hours which will contribute to street drinking.

Responding to questions from Members the following information was provided by the objecting responsible authorities:

• Members noted local stores were licensed until similar hours but in response it was outlined these stores often close earlier due to nuisance issues.
• The sale of alcohol later in the evening was worse than morning sales from observation of other local shops.

In summing up, the applicant’s representative outlined the following:

• The local objection allowed the applicant team to hold themselves to a higher standard and would be happy to hold open conversations with residents.
• Policies and practises were robust to ensure responsible sale of alcohol.
• There was no evidence of bad practise or cause for major concern for the opening of this store and responsible authorities had not objected.
• The Thwaites case was referenced as the case should be judged on its own merit and not against any comparable local business.
• The store wanted to be a part of the community, serving local people convenience.

RESOLVED – To grant the license, as applied for, including the conditions and operating schedule as agreed with West Yorkshire Police and the Environmental Protection Team.