Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harrish Bisnauthsing, Councillor Paul Fellows and Councillor Elvis Stooke.

None.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 June were proposed, seconded and agreed.

Committee to determine an application for a new premises licence.

Decision

That the application for a new Premise Licence for Ramin Off Licence, 10 Wharf Road, Grantham be rejected.

The Chairman introduced those present and asked for confirmation of who would be speaking in respect of the application before the Committee.  Sergeant Amy Adams was speaking on behalf of Lincolnshire Police and Nawaz Anwar was the legal representative who would be speaking on behalf of the Applicant Ramyar Sabah Salih who was not present.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which concerned an application for a new premise licence at a premise known at Ramin Off Licence, 10 Wharf Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6BA. 

The premise had previously benefited from an alcohol off sale licence under the name of “Max Off Licence” from 10 April 2019 to 30 May 2024.  The Licence was revoked by the Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committee on 16 June 2023 following a review application by Lincolnshire Police.  The review included evidence of underage sales and non-compliance of Premise licence conditions.  The Committee concluded that the Licence holder was unable to prove they were an appropriate person to hold such a licence. Copies of the report, appendices, decision notice and minutes were included as links in background papers.

The applicant appealed the decision.  The appeal was subsequently withdrawn via a consent order and the revocation of the premises took effect from 30 May 2024.

On 6 December 2024 an application for a new premise licence to be held by a Ramyar Sabah Salih at the location called “Ramin Off Licence” was refused by the Committee following a representation by Lincolnshire Police.  The reasons for the refusal included concerns about the management experience of running a licensed premises and the applicant being unable to dispute any claims that the previous licence holder was not involved in running the business.  A copy of the initial application, police representation, published minutes and decision notice of the meeting were appended to the report at Appendix 2.

On 19 May 2025 an application was accepted by the Licensing Team for a new premise licence again under the Ramin Off Licence name as appended to the report at Appendix 1.  The application was to licence the premises for the following:

·       Sale of Alcohol off the premises Monday to Sunday 07:00 to 23:00

·       Opening hours Monday to Sunday 07:00 to 23:00

The license to be held by Ramin Off Licence Ltd, of which Ramyar Sabah Salih was the sole director and therefore the same applicant as previously.  The application was sent out to the statutory consultees for consultation together with the required advertising. 

During the consultation period one representation was received from Lincolnshire Police with the following reasons:

•   Noted increase in the off sale of alcohol hours than what was previously requested or licensed, with no increased mitigation for such hours

•   Insufficient conditions offered under the operating schedule given the history of the premises

•   Concerns regarding the previous premises licence holder still having a connection with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Councillor Leadenham to discuss with the Committee, item deferred from meeting held on 10 June 2025.

The Vice-Chairman referred to the documentation that he had circulated to Members in respect of the “Ask for Angela” scheme.  The scheme was a safety initiative designed to protect individuals who felt vulnerable whilst in bars and clubs and was mainly aimed at females and the LGBTQ community.  It provided a discreet way for patrons to signal to staff that they needed assistance to leave a venue safely and avoid any confrontation.  By asking for “Angela” staff were alerted to the individual’s need for help and were trained to intervene and ensure their safety.   The Vice-Chairman stated that there were various schemes in place around the country.   The BBC had contacted 340 councils around the UK and it had found that 34 had made “Ask for Angela” a condition of granting new alcohol license with a further 67 possibly set to follow.   It was stated that the Vice-Chairman was not asking for it to be part of the licencing conditions but felt that the scheme should be promoted within the nighttime economy on a voluntary basis.

Members of the Committee were supportive of the proposal with examples being given of instances where the scheme had been promoted and examples of bad behaviour being encountered by young people when too much alcohol or drugs had been involved.

Questions were asked about how the scheme worked to which the Vice-Chairman replied. 

Members felt that it was a good idea which should be promoted across the district not just within the Grantham area.  Although the scheme would be  voluntary it was stressed that training in respect of the “Ask for Angela” scheme would be critical to any success.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing stated that he would raise the issue at Cabinet with a view to allocate funds for the promotion of the scheme to be undertaken.

Further discussion on the promotion of the scheme followed and how this could be undertaken with references being made to the Pubwatch scheme and that it should be as wide as possible across the district.  It was proposed, seconded and agreed that officers undertake work in relation to the “Ask for Angela” scheme.  It was acknowledged by Members that any work would take time to be carried out.

Decision

That the Committee request that Officers look in more detail at how the “Ask for Angela” scheme could be promoted on a voluntary basis across the district.  

None.

The meeting closed at 12 noon.