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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider an application for a review of a premises licence in respect of Ledbury Convenience Store, 23 High Street, Ledbury, HR8 1DS.

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 10 February 2026 and the supplement published on 10 February 2026.

The hearing was attended by the Premises Licence Holder (‘PLH’) Mr Mehmet Ozer. Also in attendance providing evidence were Mr Nik James Licensing Assistant, Mr Simon Turner of Herefordshire Council Trading Standards, PC G Gibbs and PC R O’Keeffe of West Mercia Police.

Prior to making its decision, the Licensing Sub-Committee heard from Mr James, Licensing Assistant who presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee.

Mr Turner, representing Herefordshire Council Trading Standards, provided details of the application to review and history of visits to the premises. There had been a number of incidents since 2024 and complaints received regarding the sale of illegal vapes and underage vape sales at the premises. Trading Standards sought the revocation of the alcohol licence as it was felt that no further conditions could be imposed to promote the licensing objectives. Change of DPS would not effect any change in the day to day activities in the shop. The sale of illegal tobacco provided clear indication that organised crime was operating from the premises.

In response to questions from the sub-committee

·       The sub-committee was informed of the quantity of illegal tobacco seized from the premises.

·       Details of intelligence regarding the premises was provided to the sub-committee. This included detail of the test purchases undertaken resulting in underage sales and the seizure of illegal tobacco and vapes. 19 incidents since 2024 were raised which Trading Standards had used as evidence to support the application for a review of the premises licence.

West Mercia Police addressed the hearing and made the following principal points:

·       WMP had conducted research on its internal systems and had produced results of one investigation of note; common assault reported at the premises. There had been an alleged assault by a member of staff. Following the incident the PLH had been contacted who did not provide the CCTV evidence requested.

·       It was not felt that the PLH would uphold the licensing objectives.

The PLH spoke on his behalf, the following principal points were raised:

·       The store had been shut for 3 months and no income had been derived to support his family.

·       The PLH was sorry for the problems and would ensure that only his wife was employed to work in the store.

In response to questions from the sub-committee:

·       The alcohol for sale was now properly displayed in the shop.

·       Challenge 25 notices were now properly displayed in the shop.

·       CCTV could be operated except one staff member.

·       Detail of the alleged assault raised by the Police was provided and an explanation it had involved a regular customer to the premises who had been intoxicated.

·       Following the fire inspection and the issues identified the landlord had undertaken repairs and further inspections were occurring.

·       The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.