The Speakers Panel (Liquor Licensing) of Tameside Council met on Thursday 13 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the application for a new premises licence for Asda Express PFS Stalybridge. The panel decided to grant the licence with specific conditions.

Application for a New Premises Licence – Asda Express PFS Stalybridge

The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for Asda Express PFS Stalybridge, located on Stamford Street, Stalybridge. The application, submitted by Euro Garages Limited, sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Presentation and Background

Mike Robinson, Regulatory Services Manager, outlined the application process under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. He explained that the premises primarily functioned as a convenience store, with grocery sales accounting for 56.52% of total sales over the past four years, thus meeting the criteria for a premises licence.

Conditions and Representations

The TMBC Licensing Department submitted a representation on 13 February 2024, leading to several agreed conditions to ensure the effective promotion of licensing objectives. These conditions included:

• Installation of CCTV
• Implementation of Challenge 25
• Maintenance of a Refusal’s Book
• Staff training
• No sale of single cans of beer, lager, or cider
• No sale of lager, beers, or cider above 6.5% ABV
• Prohibition of sales at service areas or garages
• Use of a night pay window

James Mallion, Assistant Director of Public Health, presented evidence indicating high levels of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, and crime in the area. Despite this, neither residents nor the Police raised objections to the application.

Arguments and Decision

Richard Taylor, representing Asda, argued that the store's primary trade was groceries, not fuel, and highlighted that Asda had never faced review proceedings for any of its over 1,000 stores. He noted that Public Health's evidence did not directly relate to licensing objectives, as Public Health is not a licensing objective in England.

The panel considered all available options and decided to grant the licence with the conditions proposed by Asda. However, they restricted alcohol sales to 06:00 – 00:00, rather than the 24-hour sale initially requested. The panel's decision was influenced by the cogent evidence provided by Public Health and the lack of objections from the Police and residents.

For further details, you can refer to the minutes of the meeting and Appendix 5 of the submitted report.