The Buckinghamshire Council Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee convened to consider an application for a new premises licence for Stoke Road News and Booze, located at 59 Stoke Road, Aylesbury. The committee decided to grant the licence with amended hours and additional conditions to promote the licensing objectives¹. The Sub-Committee was reassured that there was no connection between the applicant and the previous licence holder.

Stoke Road News and Booze Licensing Application

The Sub-Committee reviewed an application for a new premises licence submitted by Theivendran Vettivel for Stoke Road News and Booze, 59 Stoke Road, Aylesbury. The application sought to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. The Sub-Committee decided to grant the premises licence with amended hours and additional conditions.

The council report noted that the premises is a small shop on the outskirts of Aylesbury town centre, in a residential area, and part of a parade of shops on a busy road. A previous licence for the premises had been revoked in January 2025 following a review triggered by a Closure Order² issued by High Wycombe Magistrates Court due to criminal behaviour, including the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes to children.

The new application requested permission to sell alcohol every day from 6:00 am to 12:00 am. Following discussions with Thames Valley Police and the Licensing Authority, the applicant amended the proposed hours to 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily.

Three objections were received, citing concerns about crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Concerns included anti-social behaviour, residents' safety, litter, noise, parking, and young people gathering near the premises. In contrast, 49 letters were received showing support for the application.

The Licensing Authority initially objected to the application, but later agreed that the matter could be determined without a hearing, subject to agreed conditions being included in the operating schedule.

The Sub-Committee considered the Licensing Act 2003, statutory guidance, and the council's licensing policy. They noted concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The Sub-Committee established that there was no link between Mr Vettivel and the previous licence holder, and that Mr Vettivel's experience in the licence trade was unblemished.

The Sub-Committee agreed to grant the licence with the amended hours and additional conditions, being satisfied that the applicant would sufficiently promote the licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee considered a request from interested parties to impose a condition regarding the sale of single cans of alcohol, but noted that the police had not requested this condition, and decided it was not necessary.

The conditions attached to the licence include:

• Staff training on preventing underage and proxy sales, and dealing with intoxicated individuals.
• Refresher training for staff every six months.
• A prohibition on Kanapathipillai Sreeskumar being on the premises to undertake any activities connected to the sale of alcohol.
• A prohibition on Suthakaran Krishnapillai, Sivaganam Pakeerathan, and Shanthini Pakeeratha being employed or involved in the business.
• Maintenance of a CCTV system in all internal areas where alcohol is kept, as well as at public entrances and exits.
• Display of signs advising that CCTV is in operation.
• Maintaining a written log of routine checks and maintenance to the CCTV system.
• A prohibition on selling alcohol to anyone expected to consume it in the vicinity of the premises, or to customers in open containers.
• Vigilance by the Designated Premises Supervisor³ (DPS) and staff in monitoring the area outside the shop to prevent children and young people from congregating there.
• Keeping spirits behind the counter.
• Recording incidents of crime and disorder in an incident book.
• Operating an alcohol refusals policy, including refusing service to known street drinkers or abusive customers.
• Displaying a notice advising customers of the refusals policy.
• Undertaking deliveries in a manner that does not disturb local residents or businesses.
• Displaying notices asking customers to leave quietly and not to drop litter.
• Monitoring the area outside the shop for litter.
• Using Challenge 25 and displaying appropriate signage.
• Only accepting passports, photo driving licences, or PASS-accredited proof of age cards as acceptable forms of ID.
• Displaying notices advising customers that it is unlawful for persons under 18 to purchase alcohol or for any persons to purchase alcohol on behalf of a person under 18 years of age.

Attendees

Councillor Phil Gomm was confirmed as Chairman for the hearing. Apologies were received from Simon Gallacher, Principal Licensing Officer, Bucks Council. Councillor S Bateman attended as an objector. Mr T Vettivel attended as the applicant, and Mr F Fender as the applicant's agent, with Mr M Mustapha as their interpreter.