There were no apologies for absence.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

The sub-committee received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) concerning an application by Just A Bevy Ltd for the variation of the premises licence at Just A Bevy Ltd, 1745 London Road, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, SS9 2SW. The application sought to vary the existing hours to permit the supply of alcohol from Mondays to Sundays (inclusive) 00:00 – 24:00 hrs (24 hours a day), 7 days a week.

The application was presented by Ms Gill Sherratt (Licensing Consultant). Ms Sue Ellis and Mr Amir Khan (Business Owners) were in attendance at the meeting and gave evidence. 

At the outset of the meeting, the Council’s Licensing Officer explained that there had been an amendment to the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment).  This related to the wording of one of the conditions set out in Appendix 3 of the submitted report and should have been removed following discussion with the Licensing Authority.  The wording of the condition related to the sale of alcohol being by way of a pre-order delivery service only.  This was an error as the application form clearly stated that the store would also be open for trade during that time as staff will be on duty in any event to satisfy the delivery orders.  There had been no concerns or representations by any of the Responsible Authorities regarding this.

In response to the amendment, the Applicant suggested that the wording of the condition could be amended to read “All alcohol sold via the delivery service will be by pre-order only.”

The sub-committee noted that representations to this application had been received from the Council’s Environmental Health Team, but these representations were withdrawn following discussions with the Applicants and the imposition of appropriate measures should the application be granted. These were set out in Appendix 4 to the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment).

4 (four) representations were received from local residents, objecting to the application.  2 (two) of the objectors, namely Mr Harvey and Ms Sivalingamrajah attended the meeting and gave evidence.  Their objections/representations related to two of the licensing objectives, namely the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.  The objectors’ concerns are summarised as primarily being the potential for crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour from intoxicated persons, including drugs, congregating in the area at all hours, particularly in the church nearby and the car park in close proximity to the premises. The extension to the hours sought to sell alcohol would attract more undesirable people to the area and may encourage excessive drinking and the problem associated with it. The ability of the police to deal with such matters, whilst already being overstretched, was also raised.

Whilst acknowledging the concerns of the residents, the sub-committee noted that the premises had been operating as a convenience store 24 hours daily with a delivery service since March 2020, albeit with a restriction limiting the sale of alcohol off the premises to between 07:00 hrs to 23:00  ...  view the full minutes text for item 351.