The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for a convenience store. The committee will also review the hearing procedure rules for virtual sub-committee meetings.

Euro Convenience Store Premises Licence Application

The main focus of the meeting is expected to be the consideration of an application for a new premises licence for Euro Convenience Store, located at 30 Totteridge Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6EB. The application, submitted by Vijithakanthan Selvarasa and managed by agent Nira Suresh of Arka Licensing Consultants, seeks permission for the sale of alcohol by retail for consumption off the premises, with proposed opening hours from 06:00 to 00:00, seven days a week.

The report pack details that the premises previously held a licence which was surrendered in November 2023. Following an inquiry about a licence transfer, the applicant was advised that a new application was necessary. A site visit by a Licensing Officer found alcohol on sale, despite no current licence being in place, leading to advice that alcohol should be removed immediately. The applicant subsequently applied for a new premises licence.

The application has attracted relevant representations, meaning objections or concerns have been raised by Responsible Authorities or other interested parties. Specifically, the Chief Officer of Police and the Licensing Authority have lodged objections. The report indicates that the objections from these authorities centre on concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

A key issue highlighted in the report is the premises' location within a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) area in High Wycombe. PSPOs are designed to address anti-social behaviour, such as street drinking, that negatively impacts the quality of life in a locality. The report notes that the application's operating schedule does not initially include specific measures to address the concerns that led to the PSPO's implementation. The council's adopted Licensing Policy, published in February 2022, outlines expected measures for off-licences in PSPO areas, including restrictions on selling single cans or bottles of beer and cider, high-strength alcohol, and alcohol to individuals likely to consume it in the vicinity. The report states that the agent has since volunteered some of these conditions.

The committee will need to consider the application in light of the Licensing Act 2003¹, the council's Licensing Policy, and national guidance issued by the Home Office. The report outlines various options available to the sub-committee, including granting the licence with conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing the application, or granting it with different conditions for specific parts of the premises or activities.

Hearing Procedure Rules

The sub-committee is also scheduled to note the hearing procedure rules and virtual licensing sub-committee procedural rules. These rules, detailed in the report pack, outline the process for conducting hearings remotely, including arrangements for virtual attendance, the order of business, and how decisions will be made and communicated. The rules address aspects such as quorum, the conduct of virtual hearings, and the exclusion of the press and public in specific circumstances.