The Licensing Sub-Committee of Bexley Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Chicken World & JRR Local Store. The meeting's agenda also included a report on declarations of interests and dispensations, and a section for items of late business.

Application for Premises Licence at Chicken World & JRR Local Store

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a Premises Licence for Chicken World & JRR Local Store, located at 51 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Kent DA17 5JN. The applicant, RJK Chicken Limited, sought to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises and provide late-night refreshment.

Initially, the application proposed the sale of alcohol every day between 07:00 and 01:00 the following day, and late-night refreshment between 23:00 and 01:00. The premises' opening hours were also requested to be from 07:00 to 01:00 daily.

However, representations were made by the Police, the Licensing Authority, and the Environmental Health Service. In response, the applicant amended the application. The revised proposal sought to sell alcohol from Sunday to Thursday between 07:00 and 00:00, and on Friday and Saturday from 07:00 to 00:30. Late-night refreshment and opening hours were also adjusted to align with these amended times.

Despite the amended hours, the Responsible Authorities initially requested the removal of alcohol sales entirely. A compromise was later suggested, proposing that alcohol would only be sold for delivery, with no public access to the premises for alcohol purchase or collection, no visible display of alcohol, and deliveries restricted to residential or business addresses. At the time of the report, the applicant had not responded to this compromise.

The report pack detailed the steps volunteered by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives, which are the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. It also outlined the relevant sections of the Licensing Act 2003 and Bexley Council's Statement of Licensing Policy that would be considered.

Representations from Other Persons were noted as none. The Police, Licensing Authority, and Environmental Health Service all made representations, primarily concerned with the potential for public nuisance and crime and disorder due to the proposed late hours and the sale of alcohol. The Environmental Health Officer specifically noted that the proposed closing time of 01:00 daily would likely result in public nuisance, particularly for residents living above the shops. They indicated that their objection would be withdrawn if alcohol sales were removed and hours were reduced to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 23:30 from Sunday to Thursday.

The report also included appendices detailing the amended application form, proposed conditions, a map of the premises' location, and the representations made by the Responsible Authorities. Appendix D, which was mentioned as containing human rights considerations, was also part of the documentation.

Declarations of Interests and Dispensations

The meeting was scheduled to include a section on declarations of interests and dispensations, providing guidance to members on identifying and declaring any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests relevant to the agenda items. This guidance outlined the definitions of these interests and the actions members should take if they have an interest to declare, including leaving the room during discussions and voting on the matter unless a dispensation has been granted.

Items of Late Business

A section was allocated for items of late business, which could only be considered if the Chairman deemed them urgent due to special circumstances. Any such items would need to be reported in advance to the Committee Officer for the Chairman's review.