Agenda and minutes

1.                  Earl street stores, 77 earl street, northampton

The Licensing Officer outlined the purpose of the hearing explaining that an application had been received from Northamptonshire Police on 13^th May 2010 with evidence to support the failure of the licensing objective for the Protection of Children from Harm and the Prevention of Crime and Disorder.  The Licensing Officer then explained the procedure of the hearing.

Applicant for the Review

PC Bryan, a Licensing Officer for Northamptonshire Police, explained the background of the review.  The premises had been the subject of two failed Test Purchase Operations on the 25^th March 2010 and 7^th May 2010. The first sale was by a non-personal licence holder and was dealt with by a fixed penalty notice of £80.00. The second incident occurred when another staff member who was not a Personal Licence holder served two minors alcohol.  Ellaben Patel had been interviewed by the police and awaited Court proceedings for selling alcohol to a person under 18 years old on two occasions in a 3-month period.

Northamptonshire Police were aware that the links between anti-social behaviour and underage sales of alcohol were well documented and to ensure alcohol was sold and consumed responsibility was a key priority.

Representation by the Respondent

Mr Hobbes the representative for the Designated Premises Supervisor and Premises Licence Holder explained that Mrs Patel fully accepted that she had sold alcohol to minors and the CPS would consider her case. He further explained that the store was the only source of income for the family and whilst no conditions had been placed on the licence other than mandatory licensing conditions Mrs Patel had installed CCTV in a step to promote the licensing objectives. Further to this it was noted that the CCTV did not record images but Mrs Patel would be willing to update the equipment to ensure that images would be recorded.

Mr Hobbes reported that the problems had occurred at another premises in close proximity called Balti King, which it was suggested, had problems with proxy selling and that discussions had taken place between Mrs Patel and the Balti King proprietor to address the problem.

Mr Hobbes informed the Committee that Mrs Patel had adopted several measures to promote the Licensing Objectives, which included the adoption of the Challenge 21 scheme and the introduction of a refusals logbook. It was further noted that Mrs Patel’s son, who worked in the shop, had also become a Personal License holder.

Councillor Caswell questioned what percent of sales did alcoholic beverages account for and it was explained that the sale of alcohol contributed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.