Agenda item

4.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report on an application made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the grant of a premises licence in respect of the premises known as GG Mila Supermarket, 715-717 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield, S7 2BE (Ref No.164/22).

4.2

Present at the meeting were Gamza Emin (Applicant), Julia Downes (Objector), Jayne Gough (Licensing Strategy and Policy Officer), Samantha Bond (Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee), Jack Riseley Boyt (Observer, Legal Services) and Jennie Skiba (Democratic Services).

4.3

Samantha Bond outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

4.4

Jayne Gough presented the report to the Sub-Committee, and it was noted that representations from five local residents and a petition containing approximately 175 signatures requesting refusal of the application, had been received and were attached at Appendix “B” to the report.

4.5

Julia Downes stated that there had been a number of local residents who had signed the petition, and there was a lot of community feeling against the granting of this application.  She felt that the late-night opening of the proposed shop would be out of place in the local area, stating that there were a couple of similar businesses in the locality which closed at 9.00 p.m.  Julia Downes said that there were already issues with parking in the area and that the problem of parking would be exacerbated by people parking outside the shop, and she felt that there would be a potential for accidents to happen and increased social disorder.  She stated that to licence this premises would be totally unnecessary given that there were other supermarkets/outlets selling alcohol further along Abbeydale Road.  She said that the premises were close to her property and would interfere with the privacy and quiet enjoyment of her garden area.  Finally, Julia Downes said that there was an alcohol rehabilitation centre close by and felt it would be totally inappropriate to open a licenced premise nearby.

4.6

In response to questions raised by Members of the Sub-Committee, Julia Downes stated that public nuisance and rowdy behaviour was already an issue due to the trial closure of nearby Little London Road.  She said that she walked along that road daily and said that it was not very well lit and there always seemed to be people hanging around. She said that since the completion of the housing development, there were many issues with parking and people driving at speed which had been reported to the police.

4.7

Gamze Emin stated that there was a small gap between the land to the rear of the shop premises and the neighbouring property to the rear.  She said that no objections had been received from the Responsible Authorities. Gamze Emin said that she would not necessarily trade until 11.00 p.m., she would close the shop earlier if she felt it appropriate. She said that there was another shop close by that sold alcohol and so anyone from the alcohol rehabilitation centre could already purchase alcohol from there if they wanted to. Ms. Emin said that the sale of alcohol would be for consumption off the premises and that there was no parking available in front of the premises so customers would not be driving up and waiting outside the shop, causing a public nuisance. She felt that the objections were based on the sale of alcohol, but it was intended to sell groceries as well as drink.

4.8

In response to questions raised by Members of the Sub-Committee, Gamze Emin said that the hours of opening had not yet been fully decided upon and that any promotions or discounted sales of alcohol would depend on cash and carry prices.  She said that she had run a supermarket for the past five years and had never had any complaints from the police. If the licence was to be granted, she would be the Designated Premises Supervisor for the premises.  Ms. Emin said that the sale of alcohol amounted to just 10% of trade, the main focus would be to sell groceries, considering the demands of the local area. She said that there were schools in the area, and it was intended to sell bread and sandwiches to schoolchildren. She said that if there was to be differing closing hours for groceries and alcohol, shuttered fridges would be installed to prevent the sale of alcohol. Ms. Emin said that she and her husband would be staffing the shop and it was intended to employ extra staff. She said that she would be willing to make a telephone number available to local residents should there be any problems and would be willing to close should any issues arise. Finally, she stated that the planning application, although completely separate to this licence application, had been granted until 11.00 p.m.

4.9

Jayne Gough reported on the options available to the Sub-Committee.

4.10

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees involved in the application be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

4.11

Samantha Bond reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

4.12

At this stage in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

4.13

RESOLVED: That, further to the information contained in the report now submitted, the representations now made and the responses to the questions raised, the application for a premises licence in respect of the premises known as GG Mila Supermarket, 715-717 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 2BE (Ref No. 164/22), be granted for the sale of alcohol between the hours of 0800 to 2300 and the premises licence between 0700 to 2300 Mondays to Sundays.

(The full reasons for the Sub-Committee’s decision will be included in the written Notice of Determination.)