Decision Maker: Licensing Sub Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 25, 2025

Purpose: The application has been submitted by Cambridgeshire Police. The relevant licensing objectives are: ·         The prevention of crime and disorder ·         Public safety   The application to review the premises licence relates to an alleged offence that took place on Sunday 26th January 2025 at approximately 03:20 hours when there was a report of persons fighting on Market Square, Wisbech, between several persons. The affray incident is still being investigated. During the investigation, it has been established by the Police that Mr Rafique (the Designated Premises Supervisor) was involved.   The application can be found on pages 14 to 24 of the Committee bundle. The reasons for the application to review can be found on page 19 of the Committee bundle.   The premises licence holder is Hare & Hounds Wisbech Limited, the sole director of this company is Ali Raza, and the Designated Premises Supervisor is Mr Shahid Rafique. The licence can be found on pages 25 to 32 of the bundle along with the conditions attached to the licence. Representations were received in support of the review application.   Representations were received in support of the Designated Premises Supervisor and the Premises Licence Holder. The Applicant has requested that the Committee consider: 1.    The removal of Mr Rafique as the Designated Premises Supervisor; and 2.    Whether the Premises Licence, although in a company name but under the control of Mr Raza and influenced by Mr Rafique, should be revoked.   Present at the hearing were: ·         The applicant, Cambridgeshire Police, represented by PC Paul Hawkins ·         The premises licence holder, Hare & Hounds Wisbech Ltd, represented by Mr Jon Payne ·         The DPS of the Premises, Mr Shahid Rafique, represented by Mr Jon Payne ·         Interested Party   The Sub-Committee heard evidence from the Licencing Officer and the legal representative of the Premises Licence Holder and the Designated Premises Supervisor. The Sub-Committee also took into account representations received both in support of the review application and the Designated Premises Supervisor.  The Sub-Committee disregarded matters that did not relate to the promotion of the licensing objectives or were otherwise irrelevant.   In order to promote the licensing objectives, the Sub-Committee can take the following steps: ·         Modify the conditions and or times of the licensable activities ·         Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence ·         Remove the designated premises supervisor ·         Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding 3 months ·         Revoke the licence in its entirety ·         Issue an informal warning or take no action.   The Sub-Committee, having considered all the evidence, including the CCTV footage, determined that a warning should be issued to the Designated Premises Supervisor but considered that no further action is required in relation to the Premises Licence.        

Content: The Sub-Committee, having considered all the evidence, including the CCTV footage, determined that a warning should be issued to the Designated Premises Supervisor but considered that no further action is required in relation to the Premises Licence.