Agenda and minutes

To elect a chair for this hearing.

A motion moved and seconded, to elect Councillor Ali Gordon-Creed as chair of the panel was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: that Councillor Ali Gordon-Creed be elected as chair of the panel.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

There were no declarations of interest.

To note the procedure for the meeting (attached).

The chair confirmed that all parties present understood the procedure.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic.

The panel considered the application for a premises license for Monkey Puzzle Trading Limited, 18 Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX, and the chair invited the licensing officer to present their report.

Licensing officer

The licencing officer informed the panel that the premises licence application was for the premises known as Monkey Puzzle and had been submitted on behalf of Monkey Puzzle Trading limited for the supply of alcohol Monday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Amy Hutton (confirm name) and Leigh Schelvis were present for the applicant to speak on the application and the licensing officer also noted that the application had received three representations during the consultation period, with one objector, Mr Adrian Dite attending the panel hearing remotely. Finally, the licensing officer confirmed to the panel that the application was submitted in accordance with all the requirements.

No members of the panel, or the applicant and objector, had questions for the licencing officer.

The applicant

Leigh Schelvis, representing the applicant, then presented their case to the licensing panel. Some of the key information they highlighted was that the property in question was just 18 Upper High Street, not 18 to 20 and that they had agreed to a change in hours of their requested licensable activity for the supply of alcohol on and off premises from 11am until 7pm Monday to Sunday, with their proposed trading hours also being reduced from 8am to 7.30pm Monday to Sunday.

The proposed conditions put forward by the applicant were described by Mr Leigh Schelvis as being proportionate to address the assessed risks and would assist in promoting the licensing objectives.

He informed members that the premises currently traded as a coffee shop over two floors and had a communal external seating area and that it was a family and dog friendly environment that was a welcome and unique community asset.

He also noted that, although the shop was only open for seven months, it had received good reviews, receiving a community award, and was a regular host for Thames youth group for people between eight and 15 years old, and was also a safe social hub – he confirmed that no alcohol was being proposed to be sold at those events should the application be granted.

Mr Leigh Schelvis confirmed that the applicant was looking to expand their offer to alcohol to contribute to their afternoon tea and Mother’s Day drinks events. The café would also like to host other events, such as arts and crafts later in the day, where alcohol would be sold. It was stressed that music would not be the focal point of the premises as it would not conform to the atmosphere they were trying to build. He also confirmed that they had no intention to hold music or sports events.

The proposed Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) was Amy Hutton, a director of Monkey Puzzle. The panel were informed that she has held a personal licence since 2022 with around three years of experience within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.