Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from WSCC Public Health and Sussex Police.

The procedure the Licensing Panelwillfollowin considering the application is set outin the Licensing Act2003,its attendantRegulations and was agreed by the Licensing Committee on 2nd February2005.  The Licensing Panel,in accordance with rule 14 of the Licensing Act2003 (Hearings)Regulations 2005 decide to exclude the public fromallorpartof the hearing where the Licensing Panelconsiders thatitis in the public interestto do so.

None.

The Solicitor verified the minutes as accurate representation of the meeting. The minutes were accepted by the Panel and were signed by the Chairman.

Introduction and outline of the report

Jon Bryant, Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report to determine an application submitted by West Sussex Trading Standards to review a Premises Licence, namely at London Road Food and Wine, 65 London Road, East Grinstead, RH19 1EQ. The grounds for the review relate to the licensing objectives of the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and the Protection of Children from Harm.

He noted that the review cites the sale of alcohol to a child during a test purchase operation conducted by Trading Standards on the 27th of June 2023 and the subsequent enquiries that were made into the incident. Two further Responsible Authorities, Sussex Police and WSCC Public Health, have submitted representations in support of the review application.

He noted that the Panel must determine this matter on the evidence presented to it during the hearing having due regard to the Licensing Act 2003, MSDC Licensing Policy, and the Home Office Guidance issued under Section 182 Licensing Act 2003.

To provide background, he confirmed that the premises concerned is at 65 London Road, East Grinstead, RH19 1EQ and is known as London Road Food and Wine. It has been licensed for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises since August 2014 under Licence Number PWA0487.The Premises Licence Holder is Mr Ibrahim Kahraman and the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) is his brother, Mr Mehmet Kahraman. The current Premises Licence and conditions is attached at Appendix 2 and the premises is currently licensed for the following licensable activities:

The premises operates as a local convenience store in East Grinstead situated in the town centre and there are a number of additional conditions attached to the licence in addition to the mandatory licence conditions. These are comprehensive and include that the premises will operate an age verification policy set at a minimum of 25 years, whereby any person attempting to buy alcohol who appears to be under 25 (or the age set by the policy) will be asked for photographic ID to prove their age. It also includes a list of acceptable ID, that signage advertising the 'Challenge' policy will be displayed in prominent locations in the premises and shall include the point of sale as a minimum and that a written record of those authorised to make sales of alcohol shall be kept. This shall be endorsed by the DPS with the date such authorisation commences and shall be made available immediately upon request to the Local Authority Licensing Officers and Sussex Police Licensing Officers.

In addition, all staff members engaged, or to be engaged, in selling alcohol on the premises shall receive full training pertinent to the Licensing Act 2003, specifically in regard age-restricted sales, and the refusal of sales to persons believed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Induction training must be completed and refresher training thereafter at intervals of no more than six (6) months. All  ...  view the full minutes text for item LS.4