Agenda item
Application by Pararajasingam Satheeswaran for a premises licence for 'Costcutters' (205 Edgware Road, Colindale, London, NW9 6LP) pursuant to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003
Decision:
that the application by Parajasingam Satheeswaran for a premises licence for ‘Costcutters’ (205 Edgware Road, Colindale, London, NW9 6LP) (“the premises”) pursuant to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 be agreed.
that the following provision of licensable activities be agreed:-
(a) that the hours during which the supply of alcohol be permitted as set out under box M of the operating schedule be:-
Monday to Sunday – 06.00 to 02.00 (the following day)
(b) that the hours during which the premises is permitted to open to the public as set out under box O of the operating schedule be:-
Monday to Sunday – 06.00 to 02.00 (the following day)
The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee (A) felt that there was no evidence to suggest that the application would undermine the licensing objectives and accordingly the premises licence was agreed.
Minutes:
Interested party making a representation
Adil Ali (local resident and businessman)
Applicant and representatives
Jenny Hughes (applicant’s representative)
Pararajasingam Satheeswaran (applicant, attended in support)
Geoff Galilee (Head of Health Safety and Licensing) introduced the matter and set out the applicant’s request. He confirmed that the police had withdrawn their representation following the applicant agreeing to the conditions requested and to amend the hours of alcohol and opening times until 02.00 the following day.
Interested party making a representation
Adil Ali (local resident and businessman) confirmed that he owned a shop in the locality and had at one time lived above the shop. He stated that he was representing the views of both staff from local businesses and local residents. Adil Ali asserted that there were a number of premises already in the area that had licences to sell alcohol and felt that approving another licensed premise would exacerbate the problems associated with noise, litter, anti-social behaviour and selling of fake and duty free goods. The sale of cheap alcohol in particular was the root cause of anti-social behaviour in the area. Adil Ali suggested that there should be a cap on the number of off-licences in the area.
In reply to a query from Councillor Cheese, Adil Ali stated that the police had been contacted a few times in respect of young persons buying alcohol in the area around two years ago, although he acknowledged that this was not such a problem now.
The Chair advised that commercial reasons relating to competition were not valid in respect of determining an application. He sought clarification as to whether there were any policies in place in the area restricting the number of premises selling alcohol. In reply, Geoff Galilee advised that there was no such policy and this would only be possible in respect of a cumulative impact being identified and a specific policy put in place in the area. Even if such a policy was in place, it would not prevent applications being made for licensed premises to sell alcohol.
Case for the applicant
With the agreement of the interested party, a letter was circulated to Members and the interested party by the applicant’s legal representatives. Jenny Hughes (applicant’s representative) felt that Adil Ali’s representation was based on perceived competition to local businesses that the application may pose and therefore was not a relevant consideration. Members heard that the applicant had been a personal licence holder for a number of years and had never experienced any problems in respect of managing licensed premises. In view that the police had withdrawn their representation and the opening hours had been reduced, Jenny Hughes felt that the applicant had taken sufficient steps to uphold the licensing objectives.
In reply to queries from Councillor Hector, Pararajasingam Satheeswaran (applicant) confirmed that he had extensive experience of selling alcohol and would always ensure that at least two experienced staff were on the premises at any time it was open to sell alcohol.
Decision
At this point, the interested party, applicant and applicant’s representative were asked to leave the room to allow the sub-committee to discuss the relevant issues concerning the application.
That the application by Parajasingam Satheeswaran for a premises licence for ‘Costcutters’ (205 Edgware Road, Colindale, London, NW9 6LP) (“the premises”) pursuant to the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 be agreed.
that the following provision of licensable activities be agreed:-
(a) that the hours during which the supply of alcohol be permitted as set out under box M of the operating schedule be:-
Monday to Sunday – 06.00 to 02.00 (the following day)
(b) that the hours during which the premises is permitted to open to the public as set out under box O of the operating schedule be:-
Monday to Sunday – 06.00 to 02.00 (the following day)
The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee (A) felt that there was no evidence to suggest that the application would undermine the licensing objectives and accordingly the premises licence was agreed.