Purpose

Application for a New Premises Licence under
the Licensing Act 2003

Content

3.1     
RE: Licensing Act 2003 – Licensing Panel Hearing
Notification of the Determination of Panel.
 

3.2     
Licensing panel hearing held virtually via Teams on Wednesday
25th June 2025 in respect of the application for a new
premises licence in respect of premises known as Cookes News, 1
Montefiore Road, Hove, BN3 1RD.

 

3.3     
The panel has read the report including the relevant
representations and has had regard to the Statement of Licensing
Policy (SoLP) and the statutory guidance and has listened carefully
to all the submissions made today. 
 

3.4     
This is an application for a new premises licence from a newsagent
and convenience store for off sales of alcohol, Monday to Thursday:
08:00 to 23:00, Friday and Saturday: 08:00 to 00:00, Sunday: 09:00
to 22:30. The applicant has agreed to a set of conditions with
Sussex Police, and these are in the papers. The premises are not
within the cumulative impact zone or special stress area. At the
start of the hearing the applicant amended their hours to 23:00
hours Friday to Saturday. 
 

3.5     
21 representations and 1 supporting representation were received.
They were received from local residents, local Councillors and the
Licensing Authority. The representations had concerns relating to
the prevention of public nuisance, cumulative impact, prevention of
crime and disorder, and protection of children from harm.
 

3.6     
During the hearing the ward Councillor and local residents
highlighted the following concerns:
 

·      
Cumulative Impact: Already two off-licenses nearby; a third is
excessive and will increase footfall

·      
The notes to the Matrix at 7 and 8 referred to cumulative impact
and residential areas.

·      
Noise & antisocial behaviour, disturbances, litter, and
late-night noise would increase.

·      
Proximity to sensitive sites: Opposite a private hospital and near
St Anne’s Wells Gardens.

·      
Change of community character: Fear of area becoming dominated by
alcohol and vape shops.
 

3.7     
The applicant’s representative addressed the panel and made
the following points:

·      
The shop has operated for 40 years as a convenience store.

·      
Alcohol sales are now essential for viability due to changing
consumer habits.

·      
Applicant has 16 years of experience at a neighbouring premises
with no breaches of licensing conditions.

·      
Need is not a relevant licensing consideration as per the S182
Guidance.

·      
Measures proposed: CCTV (31-day retention), Challenge 25 policy,
staff training and refusal logs, no high-strength alcohol (>6%),
no single cans, no alcohol deliveries, no advertising of alcohol to
be seen from outside, no A-board alcohol advertising, posters to
reduce noise.

·      
They would be willing to reduce hours to 10 PM.
     

3.8     
The panel has considered this application on its merits. The panel
appreciates the strength of feeling from those making
representations against the application and it has been a difficult
decision. The panel takes the concerns raised very seriously.
However, the panel must only apply relevant licensing
considerations and consider whether granting this application is
likely to undermine the licensing objectives and add to issues in
the area. The application has been amended from that originally
submitted and is now subject to a robust set of conditions agreed
with the police who have not made a representation. The licensing
authority representation has also been effectively withdrawn due to
the amended hours. The applicant has shown a willingness to
compromise and is willing to further reduce the hours to 22:00
every day. This is earlier than the other 2 premises in the
immediate vicinity and will reduce the potential for any noise or
disturbance associated with later opening. On balance the panel do
not consider that granting this amended application is likely to
attract more people into the area. The applicant has agreed not to
do any alcohol deliveries which was a cause for concern. The
applicant clearly has relevant local experience and a good track
record. Ultimately, the panel considers that granting this amended
application is not likely to undermine the licensing objectives or
add to issues in the area. The conditions agreed and reduced hours
will promote the licensing objectives. The panel therefore grants
this application for the sale of alcohol off the premises from
08:00 hours to 22:00 hours, Monday to Saturday, and 09:00 to 22:00
on Sunday. The police conditions and those relevant from the
operating schedule will attach to the licence.