Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced the Sub-Committee and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Outline of the Application by the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer outlined the application by Mr Kokolathas Muthulingham for a Premises Licence in respect of 23 Charnwood Avenue, Northampton.  He also summarised the objections that had been received from residents of Charnwood Court and Charnwood Avenue.  He then explained the procedure for the hearing.

Application for the Review

Representing the Applicant, Mr John Birch, Licensing Consultant, noted that there was a mistake on the application, which was for Charnwood Avenue rather than Charnwood Court as tabled and that the ‘Standard Days and Timings’ would now be seven days at 06:00 to 22:00 rather than the tabled 23:00 closing time.

Mr Birch confirmed that the application had been forwarded to Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue, Trading Standards, Child Protection and the Environmental Health Officer (EHO), all of who had no comments.  Mr Birch also wished to note to residents that Planning had been granted to open the premises and that this hearing was only in regard to a Premises Licence for the sale of alcohol.

Mr Birch stated that the shop was of small proportion, only 50 square metres and that the addition of a Premises Licence was to provide a fully adequate shopping experience for their customers. 

On the Licensing Objective of the ‘Prevention of Public Nuisance’ Mr Birch believed that he had taken sufficient advise from the EHO who had no comments on the original closing time of 23:00 in regard to the affect of noise on the residents.  Mr Birch believed that the residents concerns regarding cars and music from cars were unfounded as most customer traffic for a retail outlet like this, would be footfall.    

On the Licensing Objective of the ‘Protection of Children from Harm, Mr Birch believed that the shops age verification policy was a sufficient deterrent as he had risk assessed the possibility of underage buying and proxy buying of alcohol as zero.  He also wished to note that the larger local superstores were not immune to issues in regard to underage alcohol and proxy purchasing.

Mr Birch then called on Mr Henson, local resident, who lived in the locality during the troubles caused by the previous shop with a Premises Licence.  Mr Henson confirmed that the family who ran the previous shop were irresponsible and leaving young family members in charge causing underage people to be served with alcohol.  Mr Henson said that this in turn caused issues with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the area.  In response to this Mr Birch defended their age verification policy and confirmed that the shop was to be properly managed.

Questions to the Applicant

Please Note: By the request of the public gallery Mr Birch agreed to also take the questions of unregistered speakers after the registered speakers.

Members requested details about other retail premises owned by the chain

Ms Cann, local resident, asked Mr Birch what their plans were to combat the noise pollution  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.