Agenda item

1.      Nick Uche Alim (“the Applicant”) has submitted an application for the grant of a premises licence for Bees Food and Drink, 315 Evelyn Street, SE8 5RA (“the Premises”).

2.      The application seeks authorisation for the following licensable activities:

Supply of Alcohol for consumption OFF the premises

08:00 – 23:00 - Monday

08:00 – 23:00 - Tuesday

08:00 – 23:00 - Wednesday

08:00 – 23:00 - Thursday

08:00 – 23:00 - Friday

08:00 – 23:00 - Saturday

10:00 – 22:00 - Sunday

3.      There was one relevant representation in response to the application, received from a member of the public before the deadline.  A further representation was received from, but later withdrawn by the Licensing Authority.

4.      The Licensing Committee held a hearing on 22 June 2023 to consider the representation, which related to two of the four licensing objectives; the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

5.      The Applicant made submissions about the community element of the business and emphasised that the purpose is not just to sell alcohol but as a resident for over 15 years, the applicant’s motivation for the business is not for profit but about community impact and providing jobs locally. The Applicant accepts there is a problem in the area and aware of the types of alcohol those persons consume, these drinks will not be sold. The applicant has obtained the necessary licences such as a Personal Licence and is DBS checked.

6.      The Objector did not attend the meeting as such the representation was read to the Committee in their absence.

7.      In making its decision, the Committee has taken into account all of the papers in the reports pack and the evidence and submissions presented by the parties at the hearing.  It has also taken into account the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Home Office’s statutory guidance.

8.      The Committee’s decision is to grant the application.  Its reasons are as follows:

The Committee’s decision is to grant the application. 

Its reasons are as follows:

                    i.            A detailed list of conditions have been agreed with the Applicant which will ensure the Licensing Objections are upheld. 

                  ii.            Cumulative Impact Zones / Area are no longer in force within LB Lewisham.

9.      There is a right of appeal against this decision.  Any appeal should be made to the magistrates’ court within 21 days beginning with the day on which the appellant was notified of this decision.

3.1      The Chair welcomed all parties to the Licensing Committee. She introduced those present and outlined the procedure to be followed for the meeting. She then invited the Safer Communities Manager to introduce the application.

            Introduction

3.2     Mr Lockett said that this hearing was being held to determine a premises licence application made by Mr Nick Alim in relation to Bees Food and Drink, 315 Evelyn Street. He outlined the application

3.3      The application for the premises licence had been advertised in accordance with regulations. The last date for receiving representations was the 30 May 2023. During the 28-day consultation period, one objection was received by the licensing authority from a member of the public on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder. The representations were received within the specified consultation period and were not considered vexatious or frivolous. The licensing authority withdrew their objection, following conditions that were agreed by the applicant. These conditions were included in the agenda.

3.4      Mr Lockett then outlined the options available to members when making their decision.

            Applicant  

3.5      When invited to speak Mr Alim, the applicant, could not be heard. He left the meeting. Whilst waiting for him to return, Mr Lockett read out the objection received from one objector who had not attended the meeting. The objection referred to a Cumulative Impact Zone. The Chair advised that these zones do not exist anymore.

3.6      When Mr Alim returned to the meeting, he addressed the Committee. He said that he had not made an application just to sell alcohol, he had lived in the area for 15 years and he was considering his community. He would be employing several local people.

3.7      Mr Alim agreed with the objector that there were problems in the area but he would not be selling super strength alcohol.

3.8      Councillor Shrivastava said that Mr Alim had been in the area for 15 years. He asked whether he had ever managed a shop or off licence before. Mr Alim said that he had been in business for 7 years. He had managed a hairdressers and barbers but business had not been good during covid. He had managed a shop in another country and was in charge of staff. He considered that he had the skills to run a shop in accordance with the law.

3.9      In response to a question from Councillor Howard, Mr Alim said that 80% of the stock he intended to sell would be food. He intended to sell alcohol but only low strength.

Conclusion

3.10    Mr Alim said that he hoped that the Committee would consider everything that he had said and done, his presentation and the training available for staff. He would ensure that anyone who worked for him followed the rules. 

3.11    The Chair said that she was satisfied that members of this Committee had read and heard all the information required to make a decision. All members confirmed their attendance throughout the meeting.

3.12    The Chair said that a decision letter would be sent out within 5 working days. She thanked all parties for their attendance, and they left the meeting.

            Exclusion of the Press and Public

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the Act, as amended by the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (Amendments) (England) Regulations 2006 and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information:

3. Bees Food and Drink, 315 Evelyn Street, SE8 5RA

The following is a summary of the item considered in the closed part of the meeting.

Bees Food and Drink, 315 Evelyn Street, SE8 5RA

The application, as applied for, was granted.