Minutes:
The Applicant presented his case, he explained that he had other Licensed Premises and Licenses had been granted in the knowledge that he had previous convictions, which he did not feel were relevant to his Business. He stated that he had opened a shop in Grantham and there had been no objections. The Business had been very successful and he had no problems with the Police.
The Applicant explained that he was waiting for a friend to receive his Licence as a Designated Premises Supervisor and he was helping them. The friend would then be involved in the premises in King’s Lynn.
The Applicant stated that he had never had problems getting a Licence in the past. He admitted that his convictions showed that he had made mistakes, but they were nothing to do with his Business.
The Chairman thanked the Applicant for presenting his case and invited questions from all parties.
The Licensing Manager explained that the applicant had been contacted by post to ask for confirmation of attendance at the Hearing and asked why he had not responded. The Applicant stated that he received a phone call from the Licensing Department and had confirmed his attendance then so did not feel it necessary to respond in writing.
In response to a question from Mr Owens, the Applicant explained that his company consisted of a Cash and Carry in Boston, which supplied the other stores and shops in Grantham and Boston and he was looking to expand the business further. The Applicant confirmed that he did import products.
Mr Owens asked for clarification on who would be running the shop in King’s Lynn. The Applicant stated that a friend would be running the shop once they got their Designated Premises Supervisor Licence. In response to a further question from Mr Owens, the Applicant explained that he would still be running the shop and all would be involved in decisions relating to the operation of the shop. The Applicant confirmed that the Business was run by a collective family group of people.
Mr Owens referred to one of the shops in Lincolnshire run by the Applicant and asked if an action plan from the Police on improving on compliance with the Licensing Objectives had been introduced. The Applicant explained that he had wanted to extend operating hours at the Premises, but the Police had objected. In response to a question from Mr Owens, the Applicant stated that the Police had not had to come and see him regularly at the Premises. The Applicant stated that he had been running the Business for seven years and had not had any problems.
Mr Owens asked if he had encountered problems with selling alcohol and tobacco to underage children at one of his stores. The Applicant explained that he was unaware as he did not work on the tills. He stated that it was his Partners name on the Licence for the premises in question. Mr Owens referred to the Applicant’s previous comment that it was a family business and they all worked together. The Applicant stated that a new Member of staff had served underage customers and had subsequently been sacked.
Mr Brooks asked the Applicant to provide details of the Premises he was involved in. He provided details of premises in Boston and confirmed that some of the premises had now been closed and some with the name Baltic Stores did not belong to him.