The Licensing Sub-Committee of Boston Borough Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Mr Tee's Local. The meeting's agenda also included preliminary items such as the election of a chairman and the consideration of apologies and declarations of interest.

Application for a Premises Licence: Mr Tee's Local

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a premises licence for Mr Tee's Local, located at 12 Red Lion Street, Boston. The report, prepared by Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer, detailed the application from Perkins Newsagents Ltd.

The applicant initially sought to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 08:00 and 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 22:00 on Sundays, with extended hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The proposed opening hours for the premises were from 05:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 08:00 to 22:00 on Sundays.

A significant aspect of the discussion was expected to revolve around a representation received from Lincolnshire Police. The police raised concerns regarding the premises' location within a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) area, citing issues with alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour. The PSPO, introduced in 2015, restricts the consumption of alcohol within a defined area of Boston town centre.

In response to the police representation, the applicant proposed amendments to their operating schedule. These amendments included a reduction in the hours for the sale of alcohol to 12:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and 12:00 to 17:00 on Sundays. The proposed opening hours were also reduced to 06:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and 08:00 to 22:00 on Sundays. Further proposed conditions related to the storage and display of alcohol, restrictions on single can sales and high-strength products, the implementation of a Challenge 25 policy, staff training, and CCTV measures.

The report highlighted that the council had adopted a revised Statement of Licensing Policy in November 2025, which addresses issues arising from premises located within PSPO areas. The Sub-Committee was expected to consider the measures outlined in this policy and whether they would be appropriate as conditions on the licence. The report also referenced guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, which clarifies that licensing is not the primary mechanism for controlling general anti-social behaviour by individuals once they are beyond the direct control of the licence holder.

The report outlined several options for the Sub-Committee's determination, including granting the licence as is, granting it with modified conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor, or rejecting the application entirely. The Sub-Committee was also reminded of its duties under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

The report also included statements from Peter Hunn, Boston Borough Council's Safer Communities Manager, and Inspector Ian Cotton of Lincolnshire Police, both of whom provided detailed information regarding the issues associated with street drinking and anti-social behaviour in Boston town centre, particularly within the PSPO area and the identified hotspots, including Red Lion Street. They expressed concerns that granting the licence could undermine existing efforts to tackle these problems.

The applicant's amended operating schedule, submitted on 16 December 2025, aimed to address these concerns by significantly restricting alcohol sales hours, introducing PSPO-specific controls, and proposing clear, enforceable conditions. These included a personal licence holder being present during alcohol sales, strict product restrictions, and cooperation with enforcement officers.