This meeting was scheduled to include a report on an application for a new premises licence for Ramin Off Licence, 10 Wharf Road, Grantham. The Committee were also scheduled to review the minutes of their meeting on 26 July 2024.

Application for a New Premises Licence - Ramin Off Licence, 10 Wharf Road, Grantham

The Committee was scheduled to determine an application for a new premises licence for Ramin Off Licence, 10 Wharf Road, Grantham.

The application, submitted by an agent on behalf of Mr Ramyar Salih, requested permission for the sale of alcohol between 09:00 and 22:00, seven days a week.

The report submitted to the committee highlighted that the premises had its previous licence revoked following a review by the committee on 16 June 2023. That review was triggered by an application from Lincolnshire Police, and related to the previous licence holder. The committee's report on that meeting highlighted that:

This review included evidence of several instances of underage sales and non-compliance of licence conditions. Licensing Committee concluded that the Licence holder was unable to prove they were an appropriate person to hold such a licence.

The report explained that the applicant had no connection to the previous licence holder and was experienced in the off-sale industry.

Lincolnshire Police submitted a representation objecting to the application. They explained that they had:

Concerns regarding the previous premises licence holder still having a connection with the running of the premises and not the new applicant

They also raised concerns about:

items for sale within the shop such as drug paraphernalia and equipment

Finally, they explained their concerns about the applicant, saying that they believed he had demonstrated a:

Lack of understanding of the licensing objectives Lack of understanding regarding the operating procedures that they offered in the application Their lack of understanding and knowledge of the roles and responsibilities that come with being a Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor, including required employer checks and business management.

No representations were received from any other responsible authorities.

The Licensing Officer, in their report to the committee, explained that because the Police's representation was not deemed to be vexatious or frivolous the committee could not use their delegated powers to make a decision on the application, and must therefore hold a hearing.

Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2024

The Committee were scheduled to review the minutes of their meeting on 26 July 2024. The minutes detailed the committee's decision to revoke the licence of Indre Shop Ltd, 9A Bridge End Road, Grantham following an application to review the licence from Lincolnshire Police.

Lincolnshire Police's application to review the licence was made on the grounds that the premises was being used for criminal activity. Specifically, that large scale cannabis plants were being grown within the disused ground floor shop area.

According to the minutes, PC Casey from Lincolnshire Police told the meeting that the Police had:

made numerous attempts to contact Mrs Indre Adamkevicius but without success.

They explained that Mr Adamkevicius continued to pay rent on the property. PC Casey also told the meeting that the police believed that:

A wireless wifi system was in place which gave remote access to CCTV and enabled the plants to be watered remotely

The minutes record that PC Casey urged the committee to revoke the licence.

The Committee determined that:

the only reasonable and proportionate response to safeguard the licensing objectives from being undermined was to revoke the Premise Licence.