Agenda item

Arka Licensing Consultants have made application on behalf of Sudharron Ltd for a premises licence at Hengistbury Post Office, an established Post Office and general store, located at 106 Broadway, Southbourne.

The application seeks to permit off sales of alcohol between 06:00 and 23:00 each day of the week.

The application has attracted 45 representations and a petition with 132 signatures in the grounds that to grant the application would undermine all four licensing objectives – the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

 

Present: 

 

From BCP Council: 

Sarah Rogers – Senior Licensing Officer 

Johanne McNamara – Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee 

Michelle Cutler – Clerk to the Sub-Committee

Christiane Tan – Observing, Democratic Services 

The Chair made introductions and explained the procedure for the hearing which was agreed by all parties.

 

The Senior Licensing Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

 

Arka Licensing Consultants had made an application on behalf of Sudharron Ltd for a premises licence at Hengistbury Post Office, an established Post Office and general store, located at 106 Broadway, Southbourne.

The application sought to permit off sales of alcohol between 06:00 and 23:00 each day of the week.

The application attracted 45 representations and a petition with 132 signatures on the grounds that to grant the application would undermine all four licensing objectives – the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

The following persons attended the hearing and addressed the Sub- Committee to expand on the points made in written submissions: 

 

Suresh Kanapathi – Licensing Consultant, Arka Licensing, representing the 

                                Applicant

Ramanathan Arulmoleaman – Applicant

 

The Sub-Committee asked various questions of all parties present and were grateful for the responses received. All parties had the opportunity to ask questions. All parties were invited to sum up before the Sub-Committee retired to make its decision. Before concluding the hearing, the Legal Advisor advised all parties of the right of appeal. 

 

RESOLVED that the application for a Premises Licence for the premises known as Hengistbury Post Office, 106 Broadway, Southbourne, Bournemouth, BH6 4EH, to permit off sales of alcohol between 06:00 and 23:00 each day of the week. be GRANTED.

 

Reasons for Decision:

 

The Sub-Committee gave very detailed consideration to all of the information which had been submitted before the hearing and contained in the report for Agenda Item 5, including written representations relating to all four licensing objectives, and the verbal submissions made at the hearing by Sarah Rogers, Licensing Officer, Suresh Kanapathi, Arka Licensing Consultants, representing the Applicant, Ramanathan Arulmoleaman, the Applicant and Cllr Nanovo and Faith Gokogly, objecting to the application.

 

The Sub-Committee noted there had been 45 representations objecting to the application and a petition with 132 signatures submitted on the grounds that to grant the application would undermine all four licensing objectives – the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

 

In making its decision, the Sub Committee could only refer to the licensing objectives and were not able to place any relevance on need or characteristics of the neighbourhood in this instance.

 

The Sub Committee noted the fears expressed by residents that the premises was in a residential area and that an additional licensed premises could lead to an increase in crime and disorder and public nuisance, have an adverse impact on public health and alcohol related harm and increase exposure and availability of alcohol to children, however, BCP Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) & Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) Manager had confirmed that there were no ASB issues with these premises, or in the immediate area of the premises. The Sub-Committee also noted that no Responsible Authorities had made an objection to the application.

 

The Sub-Committee heard from the Licensing Consultant that the Post Office would provide great opportunities for the local community and that the premises would not be operating as a bar so noise from customers would be minimal, however, the applicant would display a notice inside his premises asking customers to leave quietly.

 

In response to the representations made about an increase in litter, the applicant advised that he would manage any litter outside his premises and keep the area clean.

 

The Sub-Committee also noted that residents were concerned that if an alcohol licence was granted that anti-social behaviour could increase at Hengistbury Head as there was already noise disturbance, illegal overnight camping and litter in this area. The Legal Adviser confirmed that Hengistbury Head was subject to a Coastal Area Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) and that these issues would be covered by BCP Councils ASB Team and were not in the Sub-Committees remit.

 

The Sub Committee heard that the applicant had been working in licensed premises for approximately 25 years and he would be operating ‘Challenge 25’ at his premises and comprehensive staff training would take place every 6 months. In addition, CCTV was installed at the premises, and the windows were kept clear to monitor proxy sales, which would protect children from harm.

 

In conclusion the Sub-Committee was satisfied that if the premises operated in accordance with the conditions offered in the operating schedule of the application the premises should not undermine the licensing objectives and as such the application should be granted.

 

It was noted however that a review of the premises licence may be sought at any time by a Responsible Authority, or any other person, should future issues arise that may undermine the licensing objectives.

 

In making this decision the Sub-Committee have had regard to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Licensing Policy, the revised guidance, as set out by the Secretary of State and the licensing objectives, as set out in the Licensing Act 2003.

 

Revised Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (February 2026) under the new National Licensing Policy Framework for hospitality and leisure sectors, explicitly requires licensing authorities to consider economic benefits and business growth alongside traditional public safety and community well-being objectives. In making this decision the Sub-Committee had regard to this.

 

All parties to the application have the right to appeal to the Magistrate’s Court within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which the applicant is notified by the Licensing Authority of this decision in writing.