Brighton & Hove City Council
Licensing Panel (Licensing Act 2003 Functions)
10.00am 9 July 2025
Virtual
MINUTES
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Present: Councillor Pickett, Thomson and Parrott
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Officers: Rebecca Siddell, Sarah
Cornell, Donna Lynsdale, Claire Abdecker
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PART ONE
1 To appoint a Chair for the Meeting
1.1 Councillor Pickett was appointed Chair for the meeting.
2
4To appoint a Chair for the Meeting
Councillor Pickett was appointed Chair for the meeting.
5 Procedural Business
a) Declaration of Substitutes
There were none.
b) Declarations of Interest
There were none.
c) Exclusion of the Press and Public
In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (‘the Act’), the Licensing Panel considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press or public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100I of the Act).
RESOLVED - That the press and public not be excluded from the meeting.
6 The Lord of Wine Licensing Panel (Licensing Act 2003 Functions)
3.1 The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the application to the panel.
3.2 The Sussex Police Licensing Officer addressed the panel and noted that the application site lay in the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) and they sort to vary the times of the licence. The applicant had no pre-consultation with Sussex Police and there was nothing in the report to show support for the applicant. Following a full licensing check the applicant was requested to improve and provide a full training log, refusal register and working CCTV. The extra alcohol sales will present additional risks and challenges, and the applicant has not demonstrated they understand. No special circumstances have been shown to approve the request in the CIZ. The surrounding area is often visited by Police to attend incidents, some alcohol related. The peak times for this is between midnight and 1am. The panel were requested to refuse the application.
Answers to panel Members Questions for Sussex Police
3.3 Councillor Thomson was informed that the 31% of crimes in the area were against persons, and these could be alcohol related. The licences for the other nearby off licences were granted a long time ago, pre CIZ.
3.4 Councillor Parrott was informed that the ages of those involved in crimes in the area were not known.
3.5 Councillor Pickett was informed that the Police would not accept additional conditions and would prefer a strong refusal.
3.6 The Fair-Trading Officer addressed the panel and stated that they considered the application would have a negative impact on the crime and disorder policy in the CIZ. The application business was visited and the applicant made aware of breaches, the lack of response raised concerns. No exceptional circumstances have been demonstrated. The panel were requested to refuse the application.
Answers to Questions for the Fair-Trading Officer
3.7 Councillor Thomson was informed that the officer did not have confidence in the applicant. Staff training seems to be an issue, which is a condition of the original licence. There is no refusals book for 2025 on the premises. At the time of the site visit there was no CCTV screen. It is noted that a screen is now in place.
3.8 Councillor Parrott was informed that there was no refusals book for 2025, and there had been a number of refusals in 2024.
3.9 Councillor Pickett was informed that the half the shelves in the shop stocked alcohol, leading to a prominent display.
3.10 Erkut Ogut addressed the panel as the applicant and stated that they had to go to Turkey for a family emergency and this had led to a lot of issues at the premises. The economy is not good, and this has led to the submission of the application for longer hours to earn more money. Two premises nearby have late licences to 3 and 5am. The applicant stated they had been in the business for 8 years with no problems. The CCTV is in operation and recordings are kept for the required 28 days. The broken screen has been replaced. The fair-trade officer was shown via mobile and email that the CCTV was working. Police checks have all been ok. The refusal book is now on the premises. No cheap alcohol or over 6% volume is sold. The applicant is happy to use a security company if the panel feel that’s necessary.
Answers to the applicant from panel Members
3.11 Councillor Thomson was informed that there had been 10 refusals in thew last 6 months, and 26 in 2024. The security company suggested was Consec, who would be at the premises 5 hours per week. 30/40% of the shop was given over to alcohol.
3.12 Councillor Parrott was informed that the applicant’s wife would work during the day, and they would work the evening and night hours. All staff were trained before the emergency visit to Turkey.
3.13 Sussex Police were informed that shoplifting was prevented by having a cover over the counter, high % alcohol behind the counter, CCTV and alarm system. A security guard would be placed at the door to prevent entrance to anyone looking drunk. It was noted the other late licences in the surrounding area were granted in 2005.
3.14 Councillor Pickett suggested closing at midnight or 1am. The applicant did not feel this was useful. Sussex Police confirmed that any extension to the hours would be problematic. The Fair-Trade officer agreed that there were no exceptional circumstances.
Summing Up
3.15 The Licensing officer summed up.
3.16 Sussex Police summed up.
3.17 The Fair-Trade officer summed up.
3.18 The applicant summed up.
3.19 The lawyer summed up.
3.20 The panel retired to consider the application.
The meeting concluded at 11.34.
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Signed
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Chair |
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