Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There was no declarations of interest.

General procedure points and hearing procedure for the meeting.

The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

The Chief Executive submitted a report for the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee advising members an application to review a premises licence in respect of Greenwoods General Store, 88 Seymour Street, Chorley had been received from Lancashire Constabulary.

The applicant, PC Stephen Connolly, representing Lancashire Constabulary, Mr. Jason Middleton representing Lancashire County Council Trading Standards and Mr. Nathan Howson, Enforcement Team Leader (Licensing) were in attendance.

The Premises Licence Holder (PLH) and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mr. Paviter Singh and his representative, Mr. Glenn Smith were also in attendance.

Presentation of the Report

Mr. Nathan Howson, Enforcement Team leader (Licensing) presented the committee report which gave details of an application received on 13 June 2023 from Lancashire Constabulary requesting a review of the premises licence.

The premises had benefitted from a licence since the old Justices’ licence was converted and had been transferred and the DPS varied a number of times since. The licence was transferred into the current licence holder’s name on 13 February 2019.

The Enforcement Team Leader (Licensing) explained the premises is an end terrace property, sitting on the corner of the junction of Seymour Street with Brighton Street with the premises surrounded on all sides by high-density residential properties.

The application to review, received from PC 6884 Connolly, for and on behalf of the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary was concerned with the licensing objectives of The Prevention of Crime and Disorder and The Protection of Children from Harm being undermined at the premises.

The premises had failed two test purchases, with a trimming knife being sold to  13 and 15-year-old test purchasers on 17 May 2023 and alcohol being sold to 16 and 17 year old test purchasers on 2 June 2023.

The application was advertised in accordance with the regulations, a notice was displayed at the premises, at the Council Offices and a copy of the application published on the Council’s website for the whole 28-day consultation period.

During this period and on 3 July 2023, additional documents were provided by PC Connolly to support his application.

On 11 July 2023 a representation was received from Mr Jason Middleton, Principal Officer Alcohol and Tobacco of Lancashire County Council. This representation related to the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm licensing objectives.

Representations made by the applicant

Before introducing his application, PC Connolly made reference to the fact that within 0.5 miles of the premises there were three schools, a mixture of primary and secondary providers.

PC Connolly explained that the premises was first subject to a test purchase on 17 May 2023 as part of Operation Sceptre. Mr. Singh was the cashier that evening and sold a trimming knife to a 13 and 15 year old. PC Connolly gave a brief explanation of what a trimming knife is and explained the damage that such a blade could cause.

Following the test purchase, the premises was visited by Trading Standards and advice was given to the PLH. PC Connolly attended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.17