To receive apologies for absence.

To receive any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the committee.

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To receive declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence in respect of: Gwalia Stores, 27-29 Broad St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7ED

Members of the licensing Sub-Committee from the Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the members in their agenda published on 13 March 2026 and the supplement published on 17 March.

Prior to making its decision the senior licensing officer presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee. One representation was received from the Licensing Authority as a Responsible Authority. The Licensing Authority did not object to the application, however, they suggested additional conditions to be added to the premises licence to promote the licensing objectives for a premises licence granted to this location. These additional conditions were agreed by the applicant. One objection was received from Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, due to outstanding issues from 17 November 2025. The fire safety deficiencies detailed within a letter dated 17 November 2025 remain unresolved and these outstanding matters compromise the safety of persons on the premises and fail to meet the minimum requirements of the Fire Safety Order. One representation was received from Ross Town Council, the representation stated that the additional hours would potentially increase anti-social behaviour which is already prevalent in the area. No representations were received from the Police.

The Sub-Committee then heard from the applicant’s representative Mr Naga Rajesh that:

·       The previous review of the premises licence had occurred in 2012, before the management of the current premises licence holder (PLH).

·       The current PLH had run the business for 5-6 years and had a good track record.

·       It was confirmed that Mr Rajesh had not been involved when the application had been made by the PLH but had become involved later in the process.

·       Since the current PLH had taken over the premises, there had been no issues or complaints raised with the running of the business and there had been no objections from any of the responsible authorities.

·       The shop was open until 10:00 p.m. but alcohol was not sold beyond the licenced hours of  to 8:00 p.m.

·       There was a demand from customers to sell later alcohol to a later time than 8pm. The restriction of not being able to sell past 8 p.m. was undermining customer good will. The need to cover alcohol displays after 8:00 p.m. and refuse sales past this time was negatively affecting customer relationships.

·       The existing hours of opening had not resulted in any complaints relating to the shop.

·       The shop was the PLH’s livelihood and he would not jeopardise his livelihood by undermining the licensing objectives.

·       There were a number of conditions on the licence which were accepted and would be applied in operations at the shop.

·       Fire safety at the premises  is being addressed; a company was working at the premises to address issues raised. The work would be completed soon which was an assurance offered by the PLH.

·       Other concerns raised regarding the application concerned crime and disorder. The premises was not in an identified problem area. The police are the key consultees in respect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To consider an application for a review of a premises licence in respect of: Out to Grass, Woodend Farm, Cradley, Herefordshire, WR13 5JW.

Members of the Licensing Sub-Committee of the council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the members in their agenda and the reports published on 13 March 2026 and the supplements published on 16 March, 19 March and 20 March 2026.

The Chairperson on the Sub-Committee opened the hearing and explained that there was a preliminary issue to consider prior to moving to the full hearing of the application. It was proposed that a site visit was arranged to enable members to view the setting of the premises/campsite and understand the proximity to residential dwellings.

All attendees to the hearing were given the opportunity to comment on the proposed site visit. Two members of the public who had made representations in respect of the application for review, proposed that the hearing should proceed to hear the evidence first and that the site visit should take place following evidence being heard as this would provide greater clarity when the site visit took place. The representative of the Premises Licence Holder, was in agreement with the proposed site visit taking place and that this should happen before evidence was heard. The representatives of the applicant Responsible Authority, agreed that there should be a site visit before hearing the evidence in the case.

This concluded the evidence  heard in respect of the preliminary issue of a site visit at the hearing.

DECISION

The Sub-Committee’s decision was to adjourn the hearing to allow for a site visit to be undertaken to Out to Grass, Woodend Farm, Cradley, Herefordshire, WR13 5JW.

The site visit will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday 9 April.

The reconvened hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday 10 April.

The site visit will be held in accordance with the following rules:

Attendees:

·       Member of the Sub Committee

·       Applicant Responsible Authority – Environmental Health Officers

·       Premises Licence Holder and their Agent

·       A member of the Licensing Authority – who will also take notes of the visit in the absence of the Clerk of the Committee.

·       The Sub-Committee’s Legal Advisor

The purpose of the site visit is fact finding.

The Sub Committee members will be able to ask Officers for the Applicant Responsible Authority and/or the Premises Licence Holder or their Agent to point out relevant features of the site and surroundings and to seek clarification on points the Sub Committee consider to be relevant.

No discussion of the merits of the case is permitted at site inspections and all questions from you will be put through the chairperson.

The visiting party will stay together as a group. Wherever possible the party should arrive at and leave the site together.

No decision on the application will be made until the meeting of the Sub Committee on 10 April 2026 at which the application is to be considered, when the Sub Committee will have before them all necessary information to be able to make an informed decision, including any material facts arising from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.