Shop loses alcohol licence

A READING town centre store is considering appealing a ban on selling alcohol, enacted after police complaints, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter

The Today’s Express in Duke Street has been accused of alleged handling of stolen goods, anti-social behaviour, and mismanagement, leading to Thames Valley Police and the council’s licensing team to ask councillors to revoke the shop’s licence, arguing it would help prevent crime and disorder and better protect the public.

At a review hearing held on Friday, February 10, attended by the current owner Quais Aziz, police officers accused him of mismanagement by selling alcohol to street drinkers, causing a public nuisance.

Police licensing officer PC

Simon Wheeler said: “We have people openly begging at that property, we have evidence of sales to drinks to those individuals, and them consuming the drinks nearby.”

Officers also accused the shop of handling stolen goods, particularly drinks and Red Bull cans.

This was denied by Mr Aziz’s legal representative, Bill Donne of Silver Fox Consultants, who got the police to concede they do not have specific evidence of handling stolen goods.

An investigation into this accusation is ongoing.

Car stolen from Tilehurst driveway

Cllr Leng praised Cllr Cross for his “Columbo style detective work”.

Letting and for sale adverts do not require permission, but need to comply with rules. Estate agency boards can only be erected at the property they relate to, and only one board is allowed per property (one each for flats and HMOs).

Boards must be removed within 14 days of a sale or let agreement.

Firms that do not comply with rules - including ‘managed by’ advertising - are unauthorised, and a criminal offence and must be removed.

Cllr Leng said that, following Cllr Cross’ investigation, officers will send letters reminding estate agencies of their duties in the original agreement made in 2014.

The area covered in the agreement runs from Alexandra Road to Lennox Road in Park ward.

If the council is unsatisfied that estate agents are not complying with the agreement, it can apply for the Regulation 7 Direction from the government.

audit, identifying 70 signs, and listed the agents involved and the addresses where they were located.

The exchanges between Cllr McElroy and Cllr Leng took place at the full council meeting held on Tuesday, January 31.

A CAR was stolen from a Tilehurst driveway last week and police are appealing for witnesses.

The thieves struck around 6.30am on Friday, February 10.

They took a silver Vauxhall Corsa from a home in Gwynne Close.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially if they have doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage.

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 43230062284.

Attempted raid

THIEVES attempted to break in to a Tilehurst home last week and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident took place around 7.30pm on Monday, February 6, at a home in Corwen Road.

It is not known how they attempted to gain entry, or if anything was damaged or taken in the process.

Thames Valley Police ask people to check doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage. Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 43230056588.

HEARING: Todays Express, 17 Duke Street, Reading, will no longer be able to sell alcohol.

Picture: Google Maps/Local democracy reporting service

Evidence was compiled for the hearing during four visits by council and police officers, however the police complained that poor CCTV management meant collecting it had been difficult.

Mr Donne conceded that management of CCTV was “a mess” and said its timings were inaccurate.

On the sale of alcohol to street drinkers, he pointed out that drinking is not a licensable activity, and Mr Aziz could not be held responsible for the behaviour of his customers.

While police had argued that Mr Aziz should not be selling single cans of alcohol, Mr Donne stated there is no legal requirement restricting such sales.

Mr Donne said: “In summary, is my client holder the best operator? I would say no. Is he as non-compliant as the council and police say? I would say no.

“He is on the way to being neat and tidy.”

The licensing committee chose to revoke the licence to sell alcohol.

Mr Aziz previously said the store is in the process of being sold for £25,000, with the prospective new owner apparently being present at the review hearing.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Aziz and the prospective new owner after the meeting, Mr Donne said the result was disappointing and an appeal is being considered, which must be lodged within 21 days.

Once an appeal is triggered, the business can carry on under its current licence conditions until a final decision is made at Magistrates Court.

The licensing committee comprised councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) Sue Kitchingham (Labour, Caversham Heights) and Doug Creswell (Green, Katesgrove).

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)

Order 2015 Notice of applications for planning permission under Article 15 of the Order

APPLICATION FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

All comments must be received within 21 days and will go on public view.

221936: Bennet Court, Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX - Demolition of existing buildings and erection of one industrial building for flexible industrial processes (Use Class E (g)(iii)), general industrial (Class B2) or storage or distribution (Class B8) uses with ancillary offices, and all other ancillary and enabling works including altered access, on-site parking, landscaping, drainage, engineering and boundary treatment works.

APPLICATIONS AFFECTING LISTED BUILDINGS AND/OR CONSERVATION AREAS

All comments must be received within 7 days and will go on public view.

221563: 1 Epping Close, Reading, RG1 7YD - Proposed demolition of 8 garages and construction of 2 x 3 bedroom residential units.

These applications can be viewed online http://planning.reading.gov.uk/fastweb_PL/welcome.asp

Anyone wishing to make representations can submit comments online or write, quoting the application number, to Planning, Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU.