The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to review an application for a variation of a premises licence, specifically to appoint a new Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for Danum News. The Sub-Committee was asked to determine the application, taking into account the representations made and the evidence presented.

Application to Vary a Premises Licence - Danum News

The Sub-Committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for Danum News, located at 35 High Street, Doncaster, DN1 1DL. The applicant, Meghdad Eslami, sought to appoint Shohid Khan as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). A DPS is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of a business that sells alcohol, and acts as the main point of contact for licensing authorities and the police on alcohol-related issues.

The report pack included a representation from South Yorkshire Police (SYP) objecting to the appointment of Shohid Khan as DPS, which related to the crime and disorder licensing objective. According to the summary of application, the police believed that Shohid Khan's appointment would undermine the Crime Prevention Objective due to his association with Donny Drinks between 10 July 2023 – 12 August 2024, during which time illicit tobacco and vapes were seized and the premises failed a test purchase.

The agenda noted that Appendix F to the report was not for publication because it contained exempt information relating to an individual, under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The report stated that the premises for which the licence variation was requested was currently a convenience store. The applicant requested that the application take immediate effect, as permitted under section 38 of the Licensing Act 2003, which would allow the premises to continue selling alcohol until the application was determined or withdrawn.

The report also noted that the premises is in an area subject to a cumulative impact policy¹, namely Area 1.

The Sub-Committee was reminded that under the Licensing Act 2003, statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Act, and the Licensing Authority's Statement of Licensing Policy, any licensing application that has received representations that have not been withdrawn or resolved by mediation must be determined by the Licensing Sub-Committee, with regard to the evidence presented.

The Sub-Committee was presented with the following options:

• Reject the application
• Grant the application

The report outlined the potential impacts on the council's key outcomes, including:

• Developing the skills to thrive in life and in work
• Making Doncaster the best place to do business and create good jobs
• Creating safer, stronger, greener and cleaner communities where everyone belongs

The report also detailed the legal, financial, human resources, and technology implications of the decision, as well as potential risks and assumptions.