To confirm the Chair of this Sub-Committee for the duration of this hearing.

Councillor Ottino proposed, and Councillor Muddiman seconded, Councillor Taylor as Chair. 

Councillor Taylor was elected as Chair for the duration of the meeting. 

None. 

Councillor Taylor stated that he works in a licensed premises but confirmed that it is unrelated to either of the applications on this agenda.  

The hearing procedures are attached.

The Sub-Committee noted the relevant procedure. 

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Express Mart Retail Ltd’s application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

Alex Bloomfield, Thames Valley Police representative, Thiviyan Chandrakumar, applicant, and Gill Sherratt, the applicant’s legal advisor, joined the meeting.  

The Chair invited all attendees to introduce themselves.   

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer presented a summary of the report in relation to an application submitted by Express Mart Retail Ltd for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of 284 Cowley, Oxford.  

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer provided the Sub-Committee a summary of the report, the context surrounding the application, and and relevant matters for consideration, including representations submitted from Thames Valley Police, Public Health and 1 interested party. The Sub-Committee were also informed that since the publication of the report, Public Health had confirmed that they were content with the reduction of licensable activity hours as proposed by the applicant, and the agreed conditions as follows:  

• No super-strength beer, lager or cider above 6.5% ABV shall be sold from the premises, with the exception of premium and craft products. 

• Multipacks of alcohol shall not be broken down into single units for individual sale. 

The Sub-Committee was then reminded of its responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act when considering the fair balance between the interests of the applicant and the rights of local residents. Any decision taken by the Sub-Committee must be necessary and proportionate to the objectives being pursued. Members were reminded that whenever they make a decision under the Licensing Act 2003, they have a duty to act with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, and when considering any representations, only those issues relating to the four licensing objectives should be considered and appropriate weight given to the importance and relevance of each representation. In making its decision, the Sub-Committee must also have regard to the Home Office statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy. 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer also summarised the options available to the Sub-Committee when reaching a decision on this application. 

Finally, Members were reminded that the applicant or persons making representations hold the right of appeal against the decision made. 

The Chair invited questions from the Sub-Committee to the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer; there were none. 

The Chair invited the applicant to make representations. 

Ms. Sherratt spoke on behalf of Ms. Chandrakumar and introduced the applicant as the director of the company, noting that another person is listed as the DPS. The Sub-Committee were reminded that the amended conditions had been agreed with Thames Valley Police in advance of the meeting.  

The Committee and Member Services Officer left and rejoined the meeting in order to provide printed copies of the amended conditions; this document was circulated to all attendees.  

The amended conditions were provided as follows and summarised verbally by Ms. Sherratt: 

Hours 

1)       Opening hours 06:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday  

2)       Off sales of alcohol: 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday 

CONDITIONS 

Staff Training 

1. The Premises Licence Holder shall ensure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

If the Sub-Committee wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any aspects of the preceding or following agenda items it will be necessary for the Sub-Committee to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 specifying the grounds on which their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act if and so long, as in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Sub-Committee resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining items of business on the grounds that their presence would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.  

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Trading Standards’ (Oxfordshire County Council) application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

The Licensing and Gambling Acts Sub-Committee resolved to: 

• Revoke the licence. 

The next meeting of the Sub-Committee is scheduled on 7 September 2026 at 18.00.

The Sub-Committee noted the date of the next meeting.