Decision Maker: Licensing Sub Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 17, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Sub-Committee noted the Applicant’s Agent’s submission that the applicant had invested in the premises and had vast experience in running businesses; and there had been no evidence to support that the licence would undermine the Licensing Objectives. The Applicant had understood the representations submitted from Trading Standards and Thames Valley Police, as Responsible Authorities, and had agreed the following conditions which, as a result, the representations had been withdrawn: Trading Standards 1.         The premises licence holder will ensure that all delivery couriers employed directly by the licence holder will be trained to ask any customer to whom alcohol is delivered, who appears to be under the age of 25 years to produce, before being sold alcohol, identification being a passport or photocard driving licence bearing a holographic mark or other form of identification that complies with any mandatory condition that may apply to this licence. 2.         The premises licence holder will further ensure that the age verification policy will apply whereby all 3rd party courier contractors will ensure that couriers will be trained to ask any customer to whom alcohol is delivered, who appears to be under the age of 25 years to produce, before being sold alcohol, identification being a passport or photocard driving licence bearing a holographic mark or other form of identification that complies with any mandatory condition that may apply to this licence. 3.         Delivery of alcohol shall be to a residential address or place of work specified in the customer order.  The delivery of alcohol must be by way of handed over to the customer who ordered. Thames Valley Police 1.         An effective ‘Challenge 25 Policy' shall be implemented and maintained in respect of all supply and delivery of alcohol. This will require persons appearing to be under the age of 25 who attempt to purchase alcohol being challenged in respect of their age and required to provide adequate proof of age that they are over the age of 18 before they are given alcohol via delivery or when ordering on line. 2.         Where third party carriers are used for deliveries, the contract shall specify that they must comply effectively with the Challenge 25 policy. This will include that if any receiver of goods fails to produce appropriate ID in respect of Challenge 25 then the delivery will not be made. 3.         All deliveries of alcohol must be to a residential or business address and only be given to a person who is 18 years old or older. Alcohol shall not be delivered to a public place i.e., in a street or park etc. 4.         Only photographic based forms of identification shall be accepted as proof of age in respect of suspected under age sales. These must be accredited to the PASS scheme or subsequent equivalent but could also include passport, HM forces ID card, driving licence. 5.         Each member of staff involved in alcohol sales will receive adequate training on the law with regard to alcohol sales and a written record of the training each person has received shall be maintained.  Regular refresher training will also be given and recorded. The training records/logs are to be kept on site / electronically or at Head Office and shall be provided to the Police, the Local Authority or Licensing Authority upon request. 6.         An adequate CCTV system shall be installed, maintained and operated at the premises. The CCTV system shall cover all licensed areas. The system shall record continuously whilst the premises is open to the public. Images must be of an evidentiary standard and be date and time stamped. The system installed must retain all images for a minimum of 30 days and these must be made available for the Police or Licensing Authority to view or remove on request. Environmental Health, as a Responsible Authority, submitted a representation which primarily related to noise disturbance and had requested the premises close at 21:00 hours and there be no activity at the premises after 23:00 hours, which had been rejected by the Applicant. The Sub-Committee noted the representations from three residents which primarily related to concerns around public nuisance; crime and disorder; and public safety, particularly in connection with the proposed late-night operation and the premises’ proximity to residential properties.  It was noted that the premises was located on Simpson Road which comprised of residential properties and small commercial units, and was positioned to the main high street in Fenny Stratford, where several other licensed premises operated: AP Wines Minimarket - 26 Watling Street Sale of Alcohol (off the premises) Monday to Sunday               08:00 to 23:00 hours Opening Hours Monday to Sunday               07:00 to 23:00 hours Chequers - 48 Watling Street Supply of Alcohol (on and off the premises) Good Friday                           12:00 to 22:30 hours Christmas Day                       12:00 to 15:00 hours and 19:00 to 22:30 hours On New Year’s Eve from standard permitted hours for that day of the week until standard permitted hours the following day. On other days of the year as follows: Monday to Saturday            11:00 to 23:00 hours Sunday                                   12:00 to 22:30 hours Late Night Refreshment Monday to Saturday            23:00 to 23:30 hours New Year’s Eve                     23:00 to 05:00 hours Fenny Stratford Convenience Store - 20 Watling Street Sale of Alcohol (off the premises) Monday to Sunday               08:00 to 00:00 hours Opening Hours Monday to Friday                 06:00 to 00:00 hours Saturday                                07:00 to 00:00 hours Sunday                                   08:00 to 00:00 hours In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee considered the representations made by all parties and the application had been appropriate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives. RESOLVED - That the application be granted, as follows: Opening Hours Monday to Sunday                           10:00 to 23:00 hours Supply of Alcohol (off-sale) Monday to Sunday                           00:00 to 23:59 hours