This was interesting as it was about a premises licence that had previously been before a licensing panel for review in 2010.  That panel had resolved to revoke the licence but the shop owners had appealed to the Oxford Magistrates to reconsider the decision (as is their right).  It appears that the problems had arisen following the passing away of the original Designated Premises Supervisor as the deceased’s family were continuing to run the store and were making mistakes, I suspect partly due to grieving the loss of their relative and partly due to inexperience.

Thames Valley Police had been working with the shops owners and the owners had clearly undertaken a lot of training and employed professional licensing experts to train them in running an off-licence operation properly, with particular focus on avoiding selling alcohol to minors.  Oxford Magistrates had asked the matter to be referred back to a licensing panel for consideration and opinion.

After some discussion and questioning  the shop owners and operators managed to come to agreement on a set of operating conditions with the Thames Valley Police licensing officer so the panel (of which I was part) was then able to direct the City Council Solicitor to advise the Magistrates that we thought the licence could probably safely remain in force now and invite the Magistrates to consider that in their decision.  It is of course open to the Magistrates to pursue any course they think suitable including revoking the licence completely or allowing it to stay in force with no extra conditions.  I hope neither of those things happens!

Please note this post does not form an official record of proceedings and should not be treated as such.  The meeting was not a formal hearing as such and Oxford Magistrates will be invited to make the final decision.