There were no apologies for absence.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Licensing Panel were asked to consider an application for a review of the premises licence for Kings News and Wine, 21C King Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2EB.

The Chair informed the Panel that supplementary evidence from Kent Police had been circulated to Members and so the meeting was adjourned to give Members time to consider and review the supplementary evidence.

The meeting adjourned at 10:01am and readjourned at 10:23am.

The Licensing Officer gave a brief overview of the application and background information to the Panel. Members noted that there had been a premises licence at 21C King Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2EB since 2006 and their licence permitted the off sales of alcohol, Monday to Sunday 08.00 to 23.00.

On the 9 May 2024 the Licensing Authority received an application from Kent Police for a review of the premises licence in respect of Kings News and Wine, 21C King Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EB due to a number of breaches of their licensing conditions and the licensing objectives, outlined in section three of the report.

Due to the seriousness of the situation and the fact that the premises was failing to address concerns brought to their attention, Kent Police had requested that the panel revoke the premises licence.

Kent Police addressed the Panel, outlining evidence and a summary of why the Premises License for Kings News and Wine, 21C King Street, Gravesend, Kent DA12 2EB should be revoked.

The Solicitor and Licensing Consultant had their questions answered by Kent Police:

·        Kent Police accepted that street drinkers could pressure staff to sell alcoholic drinks and could be intimidating; PC hunt advised that he did not have access to Kent records on hands but he had not personally received any reports of any violent behaviour or threats made to staff at the premises and there were plenty of opportunities for staff to raise those concerns with Kent Police during their visits. The Premises License Holder would be expected to deal with dealing with intoxicated customers robustly and part of the would be to call the Police if there were any issues such as aggressive behaviour or violence 

·        The proposed conditions in the premises supplementary evidence were a step in the right direction, were the Panel mined to permit the Premises License, however further conditions outlined in the evidence provided by Kent Police would need to be added.  For example, removal of high strength alcohol, no single sales of cans of alcohol, keeping the street clean outside the premises and clear glazed glass etc. The full list of Kent Police conditions was in the supplementary pack

·        Kent Police would seek the removal of high strength alcohol for sale to be enacted on day one, were the Panel minded to permit the premise licence

The Panel Members and their questions answered by Kent Police:

·        Kent Police were not seeking any additional prosecution for the premises or its staff aside from the revocation of the premises licence at this Licensing Panel meeting

·        Immigration Services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.