11 01 2005

The Mayor (Councillor Edwards) (P), Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook)(ex-officio), Councillors Carr (P), Carter (P), Clinton (P), Mrs Cully (P), Davis (P), Farr (P), Gill, Hayward (P), Jacobs (P), Rigg (P), Smith (P), Taylor (P) Mrs Wright (P) and Wright (P).

 

 

 

 

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting had been received from Councillors Gill and Hook

 

 

 

 

No declarations of interest were received

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Licensing Board meeting held on 23 November 2004 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board Members received the Regulatory Services Manager’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘A’) bringing to the attention of the Licensing Board an application for a street trading consent for the High Street, Gosport.  Concerns had been raised with regard to the application and its effect on the High Street.

 

 

The Standard Conditions in respect of Street Trading Consents were distributed at the meeting and attention was drawn to the Street Trading Policy for the Borough attached as an appendix to the report.

 

 

Mr Paul Anthony Jennings, the applicant, addressed the Board and explained that he was hoping to expand his established business that operated on Mondays and Wednesdays elsewhere in the Borough.  Mr Jennings’ application related to operating in Gosport High Street on Thursdays and Fridays selling potted plants and some cut flowers which, he felt, were better value than other retail outlets in the town.  Alternative locations, ie North Cross Street and South Cross Street, were considered but Mr Jennings felt the most convenient position would be in Lawrence Square between the Town Hall and the Conservative Club.

 

 

Members responded to Mr Jennings by enquiring whether he had considered applying for a space on market days and he confirmed he had not made an application to the Market Operator as there were three other market stalls selling similar merchandise and he felt the fees for space were expensive.  In relation to potential competition there was a florist in Bemisters Lane whose business was the sale of cut flowers whereas Mr Jennings would be selling mainly potted plants outside.

 

 

Members referred to the planned redevelopment of Lawrence Square area of the town centre in 2005 of which Mr Jennings was aware.  Mr Jennings was nevertheless keen to pursue his application, as long as it did not interfere with the redevelopment, even in the event of the street trading consent being granted for a short period of time.

 

 

RESOLVED:  That street trading consent be refused for the following reasons;

 

 

(i)

The redevelopment of the Lawrence Square area of the Town Centre would cause disruption to the business.

 

 

(ii)

Any concession made in this case  could be used as a precedent and lead to further applications being made contrary to the Street Trading Policy.

 

 

(iii)

To support existing market stalls on Tuesdays, in particular, and Saturdays.

 

 

(iv)

This business would be in competition with other similar retailers in the town, ie Safeway and the florist in Bemisters Lane.

 

 

 

 

There were no other items for discussion.