Issue - meetings

An application under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 to apply for a Premises Licence for the sale by retail of alcohol with respect to Tesco, 172 East Road Cambridge CB1 1BG was received from Tesco Stores Limited. The Environmental Health and Licensing Support Team Leader presented the report and outlined the application.

Applicant’s Representative

      i.         Tesco Express stores were the smallest format of store Tesco operated:

a.    This type of store was to service those living or working in the local area and were typically looking to purchase their next 2 -3 meals.

b.    The type of alcohol sold in these stores was carefully considered. The majority of the offer was red and white wine, a limited spirit range (5-6), beers, lagers and ciders. Unless it was a craft beer, these would not be sold in less than 4 packs. This was done with the consideration of street drinking.

    ii.         Tesco tended to introduce measures regarding the retail sale of alcohol which other companies followed.

   iii.         Several things had changed since the last premises licence application was made:

a.    During the covid pandemic several customers had commented that they were disappointed that the store did not sell alcohol.

b.    Other Tesco stores had been granted premises licences i.e.: at Christ Lane in 2019 and Petty Cury in 2022. Both stores had limited licensable hours and extensive conditions and the Police as responsible authority had not objected to them. These stores could be considered to face more challenges being in the city centre. In advance of the meeting the applicant checked with the Licensing Team who had advised that both stores had no record of complaints against them. 

c.    Tesco had employed a Licensing Consultant (who had previously worked in the Police with extensive experience in Licensing and a number of qualifications in crime prevention) to undertake research / observations prior to the submission of the application. The observations were undertaken to whether if the premises was granted a premises licence if it would be likely that it would add to the cumulative impact. This led to discussions with the Police who indicated that that they would be comfortable with an application provided all conditions were met.

  iv.         A premises licence application was submitted and none of the statutory authorities objected to the application; these being the responsible bodies who would deal with issues that might affect issues of cumulative impact.

    v.         There was a historical relationship between Tesco’s Licensing Manager and Jimmy’s. Discussions had taken place regarding the licensable hours and appropriate conditions. Jimmy’s had not objected to the application.

  vi.         The local school had not objected.

 vii.         The licensable hours applied for had had regard to the location of the premises.

viii.         Tesco operated a ‘Think 25’ policy and were the first to introduce age limits on the purchase of alcohol. A till prompt in relation to the ‘Think 25’ policy would arise on any sale of alcohol. The till would generate a prompt to help employees  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17