Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor F Abbott be appointed as Chair for the hearing.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether to exclude the press and public for the item of private business for the reasons shown in the report.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a Premises Licence in respect of Monopoly, 74 Far Gosford Street, Coventry, CV1 5DZ. The application requested to transfer and vary the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

One representation from West Midlands Police had been received to the application. The representation stated that granting the applications would undermine the Licensing Objective of Prevention of Crime and Disorder.

The Sub-Committee’s statutory duty was to consider the applications and any representations and to take such steps as contained in the Licensing Act 2003 as it considered appropriate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives.

The Licensing Officer gave a brief summary of the application and confirmed that all licensing formalities had been complied with.

The Applicant was invited to present his case. He explained that he currently lives in Nottingham and wants to move to Coventry to run a new shop which sells alcohol. The Applicant was asked by the Sub Committee what he understood about the Licensing Objectives. He stated that he has a Personal Licence and knew about them, advising that he is not allowed to sell to people under 18 and that he has to ask anyone under 25 years old for ID.

The Applicant was asked if he could tell the Sub Committee the four Licensing Objectives. He stated that he couldn’t remember them at that moment but was aware of them as he has a Personal Licence. The Applicant confirmed he had held a Personal Licence since 13/11/23.

When asked by the Sub Committee why he could not state what the four Licensing Objectives were if he completed training less than 7 months ago, the Applicant stated that he knew them but couldn’t remember at that moment. However, he mentioned that he needed to have CCTV recording in the shop, time management for opening and closing, and that he is not allowed to sell any illegal items.

The Applicant was asked to explain the Police evidence provided in the bundle, regarding the alleged sale of illicit cigarettes in Coventry. He explained that when he was stopped by Police on 20^th May 2022, he was test driving the vehicle and had no knowledge of the contents of the boot. He could not remember the name of the person he wanted to buy the car from. The Applicant was asked to explain the illicit cigarettes that were seized from his room at the time and the parcels found in the vehicle with his name on. The Applicant stated that the parcels were for laser hair removal items for his friend, but he was unable to provide any further explanation. He was also unable to explain the messages on the phone seized from him at the time which alluded to the sale of illicit cigarettes to shops in the area, stating that he could not remember.

When asked by the Sub Committee what experience he had with running a licensed premises, the Applicant stated that this would be his first time, so he does  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider any other items of business which the Chair decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of business.