Issue - meetings

To consider an application to provide a licensable activity in the form of Sale of Alcohol.

The Lead Licensing Officer, Daliah Barrett, presented her report to the Committee by outlining that a representation made by the Fire Officer had been withdrawn because he had been satisfied that the schedule of concerns he had submitted in respect of the premises had been dealt with by the applicants. Ms Barrett also highlighted to the Committee that there had been two letters of representation against the application from interested parties.

The Chair invited the objectors to address the Committee. Lee Hoddinott spoke on behalf of Ms I Fitzgerald by highlighting that other Lidl stores traded on a Monday to Saturday basis between 8am and 9pm, and between 8am and 5pm on Sundays. He also stated that there were other premises nearby to the applicant’s that were open for 24 hours and that therefore the area for adequately catered for in terms of the around the clock trading. Mr Hoddinott also highlighted what he perceived to be a lack of address for the licensing objectives by way of a lack of SIA door staff for the prevention of crime and disorder; no reference to staff training for the prevention of harm to children; the sale of alcohol of match days in plastic containers for public safety; the provision of CCTV equipment for the prevention of crime and disorder; and the existence of heavy advertising of cheap alcohol for sale on the premises.

The invited another objector to the application, Mr Store of Alexander Grove, to address the Committee. Mr Store highlighted the problem of street drinkers in the vicinity of the premises that caused public nuisance. He also stated that there was a problem with crime and disorder on match days and also when there are major events at Finsbury Park.

The Chair invited the applicant to address the Committee. Mr Gijs Heldstra, applicant, was represented by Ms Amanda Pillinger. Ms Pillinger began by highlighting to the Committee what the Lidl brand offered to the community and how the business was run in terms of its staff training and the company culture which would go a long way to settling local residents’ concerns. Ms Pillinger tabled a copy of the planning consent granted to the premises which had granted unrestricted traded in its terms.

Ms Pillinger continued that all of Lidl’s goods were own branded so that any litter on the streets would identify whether it had emanated from the premises. She also stated that Lidl worked in close partnership with the Local Authority and the Police to ensure the community is properly served in terms of upholding the four licensing objectives. Ms Pillinger stated that CCTV would be provided on the premises with extended recording facilities and on a hard disk for storing footage. In terms of staff training, Ms Pillinger continued that this included a full induction which indeed alcohol training, which was regularly updated for all staff. All staff sign a Alcohol Policy Register and are supervised by a Designated Premises Supervisor who holds a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5