Agenda item
Application for a New Premises Licence for Convenience Store, 129 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PT
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Mr Alex Lisowski, Licensing Officer, introduced the
report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Convenience Store, 129 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PT. It was noted that objections had been received from the Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Authority.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Anthony O’Connell, Licensing Representative explained that the premise was on the border of the Special Cumulative Impact Zone. He explained that the premise was a convenience store and mainly sold groceries and that the proposed alcohol sale would be restricted to 15% of the display area in the store. He then referred Members to the proposed conditions submitted on behalf of the applicant, which covered a number of areas, restricting the sale of super strength alcohol, introducing a challenge 25 policy, having a personal licence holder on the premises at all times the store was open etc.
Members then heard from PC Brendon O’Rouke, Metropolitan Police, who referred to his statement contained in the agenda and stated that it was a new premise and that there had been no specific incidents relating to the premises. However, he said that the premises was within the Special Cumulative Impact Zone and then highlighted the crime statistics in the area. PC O’Rouke concluded that another licensed premises in the area would only attract and add to the anti social behaviour which currently exists in the area.
In response to Members questions the following was noted;
- That premises mainly sold groceries and alcohol would only form a small part of the sales.
- That the store would close at 11pm and would not impact on the night time economy
- That 15% of the display area in the store would be used to display alcohol.
- That people often preload on drinks before going into bars and clubs and this premise was located where there was a busy footfall of people travelling to and from prime locations in Brick Lane etc.
- That conditions to restrict the sale of single cans and having a UV devise would be welcomed by the applicant.
Members retired to consider their decision at 7.25pm and reconvened at 7.40pm.
The Licensing Objectives
In considering the application, Members were required to consider the same in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended), the Licensing Objectives, the Licensing Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.
Each application must be considered on its own merits and after careful consideration the Chair stated that the Sub Committee had carefully listened to both the applicant’s representative and PC O’Rouke submissions. Members were not satisfied that there were any conditions that could or would prevent the concerns raised about anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder in the area. In making the decision Members paid particular attention to the Special Cumulative Impact Zone, the location of the premises and the likely rise in anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder as a result of people pre loading on alcohol before going into bars and clubs.
Decision
Accordingly, the Sub-Committee made a majority decision –
RESOLVED
That the application for a New Premises Licence for, Convenience Store, 129 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PT be REFUSED.
Supporting documents:
- Convenience Store cover report, item 4.2 PDF 88 KB
- Convenience Store Appendices Only, item 4.2 PDF 2 MB