The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council was scheduled to convene on Tuesday 4 November 2025, to address licensing matters within the county. The agenda included a review of minutes from previous meetings and a decision on a premises licence application.

Annfield Convenience Store - Premises Licence Application

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Annfield Convenience Store, located at 24 West Road, Annfield Plain, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 8HU. The applicant, Mr Kohulatharshan Balachandren from Annfield Convenience Store Ltd, sought permission to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises between the hours of 09:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday, and to open to the public between 07:00 and 23:00 on those days.

During the consultation period, the council received a representation from Mr Newman, a local resident, who objected to the application on the grounds of:

• prevention of crime and disorder
• public safety
• the prevention of public nuisance
• protecting children from harm

The report pack included a copy of the representation received from Mr Newman.

Durham Constabulary mediated with the applicant and agreed on additional conditions to be added to the licence, which the applicant accepted. The Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership confirmed they had no comments to make regarding the application. The Planning Department responded with comments that were forwarded to the applicant for information.

The sub-committee was asked to determine the application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, giving appropriate weight to:

• the steps that are appropriate to promote the licensing objectives
• the representations presented by all parties
• the Durham County Council Statement of Licensing Policy¹
• the Guidance issued to local authorities under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003²

The report outlined several options available to the sub-committee, including granting the licence with or without modifications, excluding licensable activities, rejecting the designated premises supervisor, or rejecting the application.

The report pack included copies of the application form, a location plan and images, the representation from Mr Newman, responses from Durham Constabulary, Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Planning Department, and relevant extracts from the council's Statement of Licensing Policy and Section 182 Guidance.

Review of Previous Meeting Minutes

The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes from the meetings held on:

• 1 August 2025³
• 7 August 2025⁴
• 13 August 2025⁵
• 20 August 2025⁶

These minutes provided a record of previous licensing decisions and discussions.