To consider an application for an expedited review in respect of Razbari, 156 Eign Street, Hereford, HR4 0APunder the Licensing Act 2003 called by West Mercia Police’s Licensing and MATES Officer for Herefordshire.

The Sub-Committee agreed the exclusion of the public consistent with Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

RESOLVED:

that under Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, the public be excluded from the meeting as it is considered that the public interest in doing so outweighs the public interest in the hearing, or that part of the hearing, taking place in public

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 supplement published on 22 November 2023.

Prior to making its decision, the Licensing Technical Officer presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee and members heard representations from PC Dean Wall, the Police Licensing Officer and the representative of the Premises Licence Holder, Mr MD Siddikur Rahman Suhag. 

PC Dean Wall, representing West Mercia Police, outlined their reasoning for requesting the expedited review and suspension of the premises licence for Razbari which included: concerns about serious crime at the premises, namely exploitation and the employment of workers who had no legal right to work in the United Kingdom.

Mr MD Siddikur Rahman Suhag referred to the supplement that had been circulated in advance of the meeting. In summary, he explained to the Sub-Committee that the business carried out checks on new employees and ensured that contracts of employment took account of any restrictions associated with residence permits.

Having carefully considered those matters brought before them and in reaching their decision, the Members had full regard to both the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006), the Guidance Issued under Section 182 and Herefordshire Council’s statement of licensing policy. 

DECISION

The sub-committees decision was to suspend the licence with immediate effect as an interim step until the full review was held.

REASONS

The Licensing Sub-Committee had heard from the Licensing Technical Officer, West Mercia Police, as the applicant for the expedited review, and Mr MD Siddikur Rahman Suhag who confirmed he was authorised to speak on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder.

The members of the Sub-Committee noted that West Mercia Police, together with other agencies, had conducted a co-ordinated operation in relation to potential immigration offences and further noted the information contained within the application for an expedited review made by West Mercia Police. They also noted the request of West Mercia Police was to suspend the licence.

The members of the Sub-Committee also carefully considered and noted the evidence submitted on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder and the representations made by Mr MD Siddikur Rahman Suhag.

The members of the Sub-Committee felt that, at this stage, West Mercia Police’s representations were both compelling and credible. 

Therefore the decision of the Sub-Committee was to suspend the licence as an interim step until the full review was held. This would take effect immediately. The Sub-Committee considered that this action was both appropriate and proportionate to promote the licensing objectives and in particular to prevent the undermining of the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

The matter would be further considered at a review hearing on 14 December 2023 at 10:00 a.m.