To consider an application for a review of the premises licence relating to ‘McColls, 7 The Oval, Hereford, HR2 7HG’ called by Herefordshire Council Trading Standards previously adjourned at the meeting of the Regulatory Sub-Committee on 13 December 2011.

The Regulatory Sub-Committee was re-convened in order to determine an application for a review of a premises licence for McColl’s, 7 The Oval, Hereford. The Review had been applied for by Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards team. The review related to the licensing objectives of the protection of children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers and asked any interested parties to introduce themselves. The following interested parties were noted:

• David Hough (The Applicant for the Review)
• James Mooney (West Mercia Police)
• David Crank (Premises Licence Holder’s Legal Advisor)

The Chairman advised the attendees of the hearing procedures and asked if they required an extension to the 10 minute time limit for public speaking, no extensions to the time limit were requested.

The Licensing Officer presented his report. He advised Members that the determination of the application was previously adjourned on 13 December 2011 when the applicants had volunteered a number of conditions and requested an adjournment for them to be given sufficient time to demonstrate that the conditions would address the concerns raised by Trading Standards.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, David Hough, the applicant for the review, addressed the sub-committee. He advised Members that a number of visits to the premises had been undertaken since the adjournment of the meeting in November 2011 and that the volunteered conditions were being adhered to.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, James Mooney, representing West Mercia Police, addressed the sub-committee. He advised Members that West Mercia Police supported the review requested by Herefordshire Council Trading Standards. He added that the police had visited the premises on 14 occasions over the last 4 months and that the volunteered conditions had addressed the concerns which had resulted in the review being requested.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, David Crank, representing the Premise Licence Holder, addressed the sub-committee. He gave a detailed presentation on the circumstances that had led to the review as well as the steps that had been put in place to address the concerns of the police fully. He was of the opinion that the adjournment of the previous meeting had been of benefit to all parties and that it had given McColl’s the opportunity to demonstrate that the proposed conditions that his client had offered were proportionate and fit for purpose

He went on to give further details in respect of the staffing levels at the store and advised the Sub-Committee that out of 13 staff employed, 10 were personal licence holders.

He gave details of the training arrangements that were in place at the store and advised that the training had been refreshed in both February and March of 2012. As well as the training issues he also addressed some of the steps that had been taken to reduce the risk of underage sales, these included a new CCTC system as well as tills with age check  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.