The Licensing Sub Committee is scheduled to consider two applications for the grant of premises licences. These applications involve a food establishment and a retail convenience store.

Chicking, Crwys Road

The committee is scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Chicking, located at 132 Crwys Road, Cathays, Cardiff. The applicant, J&SK Enterprises Limited, is seeking to provide late-night refreshment indoors. The proposed operating hours for licensable activities are Monday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 03:00 hours, with the provision of late-night refreshment specifically from 23:00 to 03:00.

The report pack indicates that representations have been received from Pollution Control, South Wales Police, and a local ward Councillor. The representation from Pollution Control has reportedly been withdrawn following an agreement on amended hours. The proposed hours for late-night refreshment have been a point of discussion, with an agreement reached for Sunday to Thursday to be 23:00 to 02:00, and Friday and Saturday from 23:00 to 03:00.

South Wales Police have made representations, seeking to amend and add conditions to the licence. These include requirements for CCTV systems to be installed to a standard agreed by the police, with images kept for a minimum of 31 days. They also seek the implementation of an incident record log, a prohibition on alcohol sales on the premises, restrictions on the use of seating after 23:00, and the display of notices requesting patrons to leave quietly. Further conditions proposed by the police include restrictions on unaccompanied persons under 18 after 22:00 and the ability for the police to request the WiFi system be switched off.

Councillor Norma Mackie, along with Councillors Sarah Merry, Chris Weaver, and Ali Ahmed, have also lodged an objection. Their concerns centre on the potential increase in noise, crime, and anti-social behaviour in the Crwys Road area, particularly due to the proposed 3 am closing time. They highlight existing crime statistics for the area and express worries about disruption to residents from customers and delivery vehicles.

Asa Mart, Kingsway

The committee is also scheduled to review an application for a premises licence for Asa Mart, located at the Lower Ground & Basement, Northgate House, Kingsway, Cardiff. Asa Mart Ltd is applying for a licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. The proposed operating hours for the premises are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 20:00, and Sunday, 11:00 to 18:00. The licensable activity of alcohol sales would operate within these same hours.

Representations have been received from the Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer and South Wales Police. The representation from the Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer has reportedly been withdrawn following an agreement with the applicant.

South Wales Police have raised objections, citing concerns related to the Cumulative Impact Policy¹ adopted for the City Centre area. This policy is in place due to high levels of alcohol-related problems, crime, disorder, public nuisance, and risks to public safety. The police state that the applicant needs to demonstrate that the business will not add to the negative cumulative impact.

The police are seeking several conditions to be attached to the licence, including the installation of a CCTV system to a standard approved by South Wales Police, with images retained for a minimum of 31 days. They also propose that staff receive training on age-related sales, sales to intoxicated persons, and age challenge procedures, with refresher training every six months. Other proposed conditions include the secure storage of alcohol behind the staff service counter, the operation of a Challenge 25 Policy with specific acceptable forms of ID, and the maintenance of an incident log. Additionally, South Wales Police are requesting that there be no sale of beers, lagers, or ciders over 5.5% ABV, the use of a till with an automatic age prompt for alcohol sales, and a procedure for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. They also suggest that on occasions of major events in the city centre, alcohol may only be sold in sealed non-glass containers, and all spirits should be kept behind the counter.