The Newcastle upon Tyne Council's Licensing Sub-Committee convened on Tuesday 30 September 2025, to consider an application for a new premises licence. The meeting was scheduled to address an application for a new premises licence for Ground Floor, 52 Dean Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. Councillors were also expected to review the procedure for licensing hearings.

New Premises Licence Application: 52 Dean Street

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises licence application for Ground Floor, 52 Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, submitted by Mr Samarth Gakhar. Mr Gakhar, of 48 Front Street, Chirton, North Shields, was applying for a licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises every day from 10:00 to 23:59. Mr Gakhar's agent was Jonathan Rodger Consultancy Limited, Druridge Farm Druridge Bay, Morpeth.

The report pack included several documents related to the application, including the application form and supporting documents, representations from the Licensing Authority, Northumbria Police, and a ward councillor.

The Licensing Authority's representation stated that the premises is within the City Centre Cumulative Impact Area¹ and Special Stress Area. The Licensing Authority stated that, according to the council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2023 - 2028, Special Policy 2 is triggered, meaning that applications will be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate exceptional circumstances and that the licence will not add to the negative cumulative impact on the licensing objectives². The Licensing Authority was of the view that granting the application would contradict the licensing policy and adversely impact the licensing objectives.

Northumbria Police initially objected to the application, stating that the area is saturated with licensed premises and already suffers from elevated levels of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder. However, according to the supplemental agenda, Northumbria Police withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to a number of conditions, including reduced hours for the sale of alcohol (11:00 to 21:00), keeping all alcoholic products in a locked storeroom out of public view, and selling alcohol only via a menu system.

Councillor Jane Byrne, Monument Ward Councillor, also objected to the application, stating that it did not support the four licensing objectives and that there were no apparent exceptional circumstances to justify granting the licence.

The report pack included a document titled Police Agreed Conditions 52, Dean Street, which lists the conditions agreed upon by the applicant and Northumbria Police. These conditions include:

• Licensed hours of 11:00 to 21:00.
• Ensuring sufficient trained staff are on duty at all times.
• Keeping all alcoholic products in a locked storeroom, out of public view.
• Selling alcohol only via a menu system.
• No self-service of alcohol.
• No locally devised promotions related to alcohol sales.
• Banning customers carrying open vessels of alcohol.
• Banning customers attempting to purchase alcohol on behalf of underage individuals.
• Training staff on age-restricted sales and street drinkers.
• Operating a record of persons banned from purchasing alcohol.
• Requesting that the public congregating outside the premises leave if they are causing anti-social behaviour.
• No promotional material relating to alcohol sales which refer to pricing will be visible from outside the premises.
• A CCTV system designed and maintained to the satisfaction of Northumbria Police.
• Maintaining an incident and refusals log.
• No sale of super strength beer, lagers, ciders, or perry of 5.5% ABV³ or above without prior written agreement by Northumbria Police.
• No sale of alcohol spirits in vessels of 30cl or smaller.
• No sale of wine in bottles smaller than 35cl or greater than 1 litre.
• No sale of larger, beer, and similar products other than in packs of four or more.
• The Designated Premises Supervisor⁴ or appointed person to participate in Police-led initiatives.
• All staff to seek credible photographic proof of age evidence from anyone appearing under 25.
• The need for security to be risk-assessed.
• All sales tills to prompt the cashier to verify that the customer is aged 18 or over.
• A minimum of two members of staff on the premises during hours alcohol can be supplied.

Guide to Procedure

The sub-committee was also scheduled to review a document titled Procedure at Licensing Sub-Committee. This document outlines the guiding principles and procedures for licensing hearings, including the right to a fair hearing, transparency, and accountability. It also details the process for additional persons attending the hearing, dispensing with a hearing, withdrawal of representations, disruptive behaviour, and failure of parties to attend the hearing.