Agenda item
Application to Review the Premises Licence for Sweetpoint, 2 Old Montague Street, London, E1 5NG
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for Sweetpoint, 2 Old Montague Street, London E1 5NG. It was noted that the review had been triggered by Trading Standards and supported by Licensing Authority, Metropolitan Police and Local Residents.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Ian Mosely, Trading Standards explained that this premise had been subject to a previous review relating to instances of contraband goods being found on the premises, sales of age-restricted goods to underage persons and an observed sale of alcohol to an intoxicated person. As a result of that review the licence was suspended.
It was noted that on 23rd and 24th May 2014 the premises was visited and the Premises Licence Holder (PLH) was found to be in possession of a small amount of contraband tobacco on each occasion. Again on 19th August 2014 officers searched the premises and resulted in the discovery of 6720 cigarettes and 600g of hand rolling tobacco and 3kg of shisha tobacco all contraband and consequently not carrying the legal required warning statements etc.
Mr Moseley stated that it was apparent that the PLH continues to purchase and deal in contraband goods and therefore Trading Standards had no confidence in the management of the premises and are concerned that the PLH would continue to act in defiance of the law and may continue to obtain contraband goods, including both alcohol and tobacco.
Members also heard from PC Alan Cruickshank, Metropolitan Police and Mohshin Ali, Licensing Services who supported the review application and asked Members to note their representations contained in the agenda.
Members also heard from Jessica Wild, from Hopetown Hostel and Jon Shapiro, local resident, who also expressed grave concerns about the management of the premises, selling to extreme vulnerable persons who were often intoxicated and drinks sold on credit and selling to women from the hostel and to known street drinkers in the area.
It was noted that the PLH was not present at the meeting. The Clerk confirmed that the PLH had been sent notification letters and agendas within the prescribed timelines. However, he had emailed to say he wouldn’t be attending as he was intending to sell the business. The Licensing Officer had written to him asking him to attend as it related to his premises licence.
Members briefly discussed amongst themselves and the Chair stated that;
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 Home Office Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.
Consideration
Each application must be considered on its own merits and the Chair stated that the Sub Committee had carefully considered all of the evidence before them and had heard representations from the Applicant, Trading Standards and all interested parties supporting the review. It was noted that the Premise License Holder was not present at the meeting. Therefore Members noted the written application contained in the agenda and briefly heard representations from the Applicant and interested parties.
Members expressed grave concerns regarding the public nuisance, crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour linked to the premises. Members noted the overwhelming evidence provided by all parties especially by the representative from the local women’s hostel.
Members were satisfied that there were no other conditions they could be imposed on the licence to promote the licensing objectives as the mismanagement of the premises was evident. Members believed that the lack of attendance at the meeting showed a lack of confidence in the Premises Licence Holder to uphold the licensing objectives and taking into consideration the objections raised Members unanimously revoked the premises licence.
Decision
Accordingly, the Sub-Committee unanimously –
RESOLVED
That the application for a Review of the Premise Licence for Sweet Point, 2 Old Montague Street, London E1 5NG be GRANTED with the revocation of the premises licence.
Supporting documents: