The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee, consisting of Councillor Liz Brown, Councillor Matt Burnard, Councillor Steven Franklin, and Councillor Robbie Rodiss, convened to consider an application for a new premises licence. The meeting was scheduled to address the application for International Food and Wine, located at 35b Shafto Way, Newton Aycliffe, and any objections to it. Councillors were asked to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives¹.

International Food and Wine - Premises Licence Application

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application submitted by Secure Licences, acting as agent for Mr Mohammed Farzin Nebezadah, for a new premises licence for International Food and Wine. The application requests permission to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises, and to remain open to the public between the hours of 07:00 and 23:30 Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and between 07:00 and 00:30 on Friday and Saturday.

The report pack included details of the application, a location plan, and images of the premises.

Mr Mohammed Farzin Nebezadah outlined steps intended to promote the four licensing objectives within the application's operating schedule, including:

• Installing and maintaining a CCTV system that records continuously, storing footage for a minimum of 28 days, and providing recorded footage to representatives of any responsible authority² on request.
• Securing the premises with roller shutters at the front and a security door at the rear.
• Maintaining a written delegation of authority record authorising non-personal licence holders to make sales on behalf of a personal licence holder.
• Providing staff training on the Licensing Act and licensing objectives upon commencement of employment and every six months thereafter, maintaining a written record of this training.
• Maintaining an incident book/register to record incidents of violence, disorder, crime, calls for police assistance, ejections, and first aid given to customers.
• Preventing loitering outside the premises and ensuring that persons refused entry or ejected are asked to leave the vicinity.
• Displaying notices requesting that customers respect the needs of local residents, leave the premises and area quietly, and properly dispose of litter.
• Monitoring the area immediately outside the premises on a regular basis to check for and dispose of any litter.
• Operating a Challenge 25 proof of age policy³, with appropriate signage, accepting only passports, photo-card driving licences, or proof of age cards bearing the official 'PASS' accreditation hologram as proof of age.
• Maintaining a refusals log book to record details of refusals and descriptions of individuals when staff refuse to sell alcohol to a person suspected of being under the age of 18, and recording the circumstances of any incident.
• Displaying proxy signs warning customers not to buy alcohol for children.

Representation

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider a representation opposing the application from Mr S Blyth, a local resident, who raised concerns relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. Mr Blyth stated that the sale of alcohol until 00:30 on Friday and Saturday would cause an anti-social problem, and that the risk to public safety would be a concern for all, as many residents fear going near those areas already. Mr Blyth also raised concerns about loud gatherings of children/young people, littering, vehicle congestion, and noise pollution.

Responses were received from the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership and Durham Constabulary confirming they had no comments to make regarding the application.

Considerations

The sub-committee was recommended to consider the steps appropriate to promote the licensing objectives, the representations presented by all parties, the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Guidance issued to local authorities under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003⁴.