Resolved:      That Cllr. Fittock be appointed Chairman of the meeting.

Cllr. Abraham advised that he knew the Edenbridge Town Council representative in a personal capacity, but there were no additional disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests declared.

(Edenbridge South & West)

The Hearing gave consideration to a report by the Community and Planning Services Director giving details of an application under the Licensing Act 2003 for a premises licence at D 'N' M News 'N' Toys, 4 High Street, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5AG.  It was noted that objections had been received and that accordingly the application had been referred to the Sub-Committee for determination.

The Hearing heard from the applicant’s representative who clarified that if the license was granted ‘Toys’ would be removed from the shop name.  He tabled some suggested additional conditions his Applicant would be happy with, in response to issues raised in the written objections.  He also stated that there would be an incident book and refusals book and a notice requesting that customers leave quietly and they were happy to cease trading at the same time as the supermarkets.  Diversification was necessary for survival as a commercial enterprise.

In response to questions from the Sub committee the applicant’s representative replied that not only would toys be removed from the name of the shop but that it would cease to sell toys. 

The Hearing heard from a representative of Edenbridge Town Council who reported that it was a small town which had a problem with alcohol related incidents.  There was already two Off Licences, two supermarkets and two garages that sold alcohol, this was the only toy shop.  There was a concern that it was a shop that sold toys, sweets and comics and therefore encouraged a child based clientele and that children and alcohol did not mix.

It was pointed out that commercial/market issues were not a consideration for this hearing.  In questioning the representative of Edenbridge Town Council agreed that the supermarkets did sell alcohol as well as sweets and there appeared to be no problems.  It was noted that the Police had raised no objections and when asked whether the Town Council had raised their concerns with the Police, he did not know. 

At 11.07 a.m. the Hearing Members and the Council’s Legal Advisor withdrew to consider the issues raised.

At 11.38 a.m. the Hearing Members and the Council’s Legal Advisor returned to the Council Chamber.

The Chairman informed the Hearing that the Sub-Committee had had regard to the representations made by the Applicant and interested parties as well as the guidance issued under s 183 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s Statement of Licensing policy. 

It was therefore unanimously,

Resolved: That a Premises Licence in respect of D 'N' M News 'N' Toys, 4 High Street, Edenbridge, Kent, subject to the conditions contained in the licence attached as an appendix to these minutes, be granted.