The Licensing Sub-Committee (SMDC) was scheduled to convene to consider an application for a premises licence for Abbies at 17 Sheep Market, Leek. The report pack included the hearing procedure, the application for the grant of a premises licence, and representations from Staffordshire Police, Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, and other persons. Councillors Elsie Fallows, Jim Garvey, and Keith Hoptroff were the scheduled members of the Licensing Sub-Committee (SMDC).

Application for a Premises Licence for Abbies, 17 Sheep Market, Leek

The sub-committee was to consider an application from TL Guys Ltd on behalf of Elif Bites Ltd for a premises licence for Abbies, 17 Sheep Market, Leek. The application requested permission to provide late night refreshment every day between 23:00 and 03:00, and proposed opening hours of 11:00 to 03:00 every day.

The report pack noted that a previous premises licence, which permitted late night refreshment at the premises between 23:00 and 03:00, was revoked on 19 March 2024, following a review prompted by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Unit and Staffordshire Police Licensing Unit, after illegal workers were identified at the premises. The decision to revoke the licence was appealed, but the appeal was withdrawn.

Representations

The council received representations from Staffordshire Police, the Environmental Health Department at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, the Licensing Authority, and ten other persons, namely local residents and businesses.

Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Police submitted a representation stating that the application, in its current format, would not promote the licensing objectives, and that the premises had permitted licensable activities otherwise than in accordance with an authorisation. According to a statement from PC Paul Heaney, Police Licensing Officer Lisa Roberts and Sandra Bradbury, Licensing Lead Officer for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, met with Raees Khan, Director of Elif Bites Ltd, on 14 August 2025 to view CCTV footage in relation to previous complaints. PC Paul Heaney stated that Mr. Khan struggled to operate the CCTV system. Breaches in relation to temporary event notices were identified. PC Paul Heaney stated that he witnessed people sitting on the pavement outside the premises eating food purchased from Abbies. He also stated that Mr. Khan blamed customers and refused to take any responsibility.

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Department at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council submitted a representation due to noise concerns, anti-social behaviour, and historical issues. The representation stated that the premises had a history of being a gathering point for disturbances in the town centre past 02:00. It also stated that disturbance and nuisance issues had continued while the premises operated under Temporary Event Notifications¹.

The Environmental Health Department's representation included a summary of complaints that had been made about the premises in the previous three years, including complaints about waste accumulation, smells, and noise disturbances. Recent complaints while the premises had been operating under TENs included allegations of trading after 03:00, shouting and swearing, and cars playing music.

Licensing Authority

Sandra Bradbury, Licensing Lead Officer, submitted a representation on the basis that the Licensing Authority considered that one or more of the four licensing objectives² would be undermined should the licence be granted. This was due to complaints received whilst the premises was operating under Temporary Event Notifications, and identified breaches of times whilst operating under these authorisations.

Other Persons

Ten representations were received from other persons, namely local residents and businesses. The relevant points of the representations were based around litter, anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance, and failure to adhere to the premises' closing times.

Mr J Smith submitted photographic evidence in support of his representation, alleging that on 03 September 2025 the premises was open, cooking, and delivering food after 23:00, without authorisation.

Other representations included concerns about:

• Customers causing problems with litter and anti-social behaviour.
• Drunk people making the area unsafe to walk through at night.
• Late night customers needing wheelchairs.
• Delivery drivers parking illegally.
• Groups of teenagers using foul language and shouting.
• Customers urinating in doorways.

Suzannah Bartlett, who owns the shop at 15 Sheep Market, said that the shop window had been smashed on three occasions, and that cars were illegally parked outside the shop, causing danger to pedestrians.

Jason Smith of Mosaic Bootique, said that drunk youths gather in the street until well past midnight, screaming and shouting, and urinating and littering.

Licensing Objectives

The report pack stated that in carrying out its duties under the Licensing Act 2003³, the Licensing Authority will actively promote the licensing objectives, viewing each objective with equal importance, and paying due regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 182 of the act, and the local statement of licensing policy.