Agenda item

4.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report to consider an application for a Premises Licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003, in respect of the premises known as Sainbury’s, 2 Wortley Road, Sheffield, S35 4LU.

4.2

Present at the meeting were Sabrina Cader (Solicitor for the Applicants), Phil Ronan (Area Manager, Sainsbury’s), Andy Bainbridge (Ecclesfield Parish Council, Objector), Andy Ruston (Licensing Officer), Louise Slater (Solicitor to the Sub-Committee) and John Turner (Democratic Services).

4.3

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee outlined the procedure which would be followed during the hearing.

4.4

Andy Ruston presented the report to the Sub-Committee and it was noted that representations had been received from Ecclesfield Parish Council, and were attached at Appendix ‘B’ to the report.

4.5

Andy Bainbridge, representing Ecclesfield Parish Council, stated that the Council was concerned at the impact of the long hours in terms of the sale of alcohol, both in terms of a potential increase in anti-social behaviour and the adverse effects on the business of other licensed premises in the surrounding area.  He stated that the proposed store was very close to residential properties and there were concerns regarding the impact of the large delivery lorries on the village.  There were also two primary schools close by and the potential increase in traffic, together with the fact that the footpath was very narrow on the street the premises were located, raised safety concerns for the primary school children as well as other residents of the village.

4.6

Sabrina Cader referred to the proposed opening hours regarding the supply of alcohol, indicating that, following the representations raised by the Parish Council, the hours on the application had been amended from 06:00 to 24:00 hours to 07:00 to 23:00 hours.  The premises comprised a public house, which was still currently trading, but was to be redeveloped.  The shop would be a convenience store, selling a basic range of goods, and alcohol would only form a small part of the overall sales. The planned trading hours would be between 07:00 and 23:00 hours, in line with other Sainsbury’s convenience stores across the country.  Deliveries to the store would be made by small lorries, which would park in the car park, and the goods would be delivered via a loading bay.  Although the hours in which alcohol would be on sale were long, it was not envisaged that this would adversely affect other licensed premises in the surrounding area as there would only be a limited range of alcohol on sale.  Challenge 25 would be in operation at the store and all employees would be required to pass the relevant training, which would be refreshed every six months.  All information held as part of Challenge 25 would be retained electronically, and would be accessible to the Police and other responsible authorities on request.  Sainsbury’s also used a mystery shopper, who visited its stores to carry out test purchases with regard to alcohol and tobacco.  Ms Cader concluded by stating that Sainsbury’s would be happy to liaise with the Parish Council and any other concerned residents if there were any problems linked to the operation of the premises.

4.7

In response to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, it was stated that, in the light of the safety concerns relating to the delivery lorries and the dangers they posed to primary school children, arrangements would be made for deliveries to the store to be made at such a time as not to clash with the children going to the schools in the morning.  There would be approximately 25 people employed at the store, comprising approximately 30% full-time and 70% part-time staff, and it was envisaged that this would be a high number of local people.  It was not envisaged that the long hours in terms of the sale of alcohol would adversely affect alcohol sales at other licensed premises in the area.  In addition, the other licensed premises would have an opportunity to apply to change their operating hours if they so wished.

4.8

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.

4.9

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

4.10

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

4.11

RESOLVED: That the Sub-Committee agrees to grant the Premises Licence in respect of Sainsbury’s, 2 Wortley Road, Sheffield, S35 4LU, in the terms now requested, and subject to the operating schedule, agreed conditions and to the modified condition relating to the change of the operating hours in terms of the sale of alcohol from 06:00 to 24:00 hours to 07:00 to 23:00 hours.

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