Meeting documents

It was agreed that Councillor P Purver Chair the Hearing.

(Councillor P Purver in the Chair)

Councillor P Purver introduced the parties and explained the procedure to be followed. The Hearing Regulations 2005 stated that the Authority must allow parties an equal period of time in which to present their evidence. It was agreed that ten minutes would be sufficient for each party's presentation.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer presented the report and highlighted background information, representations received and referred to the Special Policy in Ashby.

Mr Cushion then presented the application on behalf of the applicant. He gave some background information with regards to the history of the restaurant chain and the kind of business it attracted. It was pointed out that no representations from the responsible authorities had been received and that enforcement action had not been taken at any of the other 300 restaurants around the country. Mr Cushion stated that the restaurant did fall on the boundary of the Special Policy but asked Members to consider granting the licence as the Policy was not aimed at this kind of business, plus the sale of alcohol was a small part of the business. It was stated that the client base of the restaurant was families, professionals and couples not large crowds of youths.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Ward (Pizza Express Acquisitions Manager) stated the following:

- There was a possibility that groups of young people who have already been drinking may come into the restaurant but Mr Ward had confidence in the staff as they had all been trained and would have the support of the management team. If this occurred the people would be asked to leave and would not be served.

- With regards to the sale of alcohol for consumption off the site, Mr Ward explained that alcohol was very rarely sold with the takeaway food as the prices remain the same as in the restaurant but it was good for the restaurant to offer it.

- The management team for the new restaurant would be put together from existing staff members and would consist of a broad age range.

In response to a question from the objector, Mr Ward responded that to purchase alcohol from the restaurant, the customer would be likely to also purchase food from the takeaway menu.

Mr Smith then presented the objections on behalf of Mr Zamani. He stated that the Special Policy within Ashby had been placed there for a reason as there was a lot of crime in the area. Mr Smith stated that his client believed that the sale of alcohol for both on site and off site consumption would have a considerable impact on the area, especially off site as people who have already been drinking can go into the restaurant and purchase further alcohol.

In response to a question from a Member, Mr Zamani explained that both of his restaurants in Ashby had a license to sell alcohol on the premises.

Mr Smith and Mr Cushion gave a brief closing statement.

At 7.05pm the Sub Committee adjourned to consider its decision and re-convened at 7.50pm.