Agenda item

Consideration was given to an application (made in accordance with Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2033) for the review of the Premises Licence issued to Mr. D. Havenhand in respect of the premises known as The Sportsman Inn, 55 Broad Street, Parkgate, Rotherham S62  6DU.

The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (acting in their role as a Responsible Authority under the Licensing Act 2003) had made the application on 21^st May, 2026 for the review of the Premises Licence in respect of The Sportsman Inn, 55 Broad Street Parkgate, Rotherham S62 6DU. 

The application sought the revocation of the Premises Licence on the grounds that the Licence Holder had failed to promote the licensing objectives of:

-        Prevention of crime and disorder

-        Protection of children from harm

Should the Licensing Sub-Committee be minded not to revoke the Premises Licence, the applicant asked that 19 management control conditions be imposed.

A copy of the application was served on the Licence Holder, Mr. Havenhand by post and email on 21st May, 2026 as well as a hand delivered copy to the premises. 

Consultation on the application had been carried out on the application in accordance with all statutory requirements and the Council’s procedure.  There was a prescribed period of 28 days following the submission of an application during which time representations in relation to the application may be submitted.

At the end of the prescribed consultation period no representations had been received.

Also present was Mr. D. Havenhand (the Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor) and Ms. Cheryl Schofield (Manager).

Mr. Havenhand did not wish to be shown on the webcast.

As previously stated, the objections of South Yorkshire Police were based on 2 of the licensing objectives and raised the following concerns:-

-        It was noted that technically there had been no breach of the licence as it was a relatively old licence with no detailed conditions, unlike the licences issued now, with no requirement for CCTV

-        Following an allegation of a serious assault on the premises having been made, it was established that the Sportsman Inn had CCTV.  The Police investigating officer had made numerous attempts to meet with the Licence Holder to view the CCTV footage.  Appointments had been made and then cancelled or the premises found to be closed.  This had led to the investigating officer raising concerns with the Police Licensing Officer that the Licence Holder was not co-operating with a Police investigation

-        The Police Licensing Officer had also attempted to meet with the Licence Holder to bring the licence up-to-date and promote the licensing objectives but again the meetings were either cancelled or he did not attend

-        An unannounced visit was made to the premises by the Police Licensing Officer on 30^th April, 2026 and met the Licence Holder.  An action plan for improvement was agreed which required improved management controls being put into place all of which had to be formalised as conditions of the Licence

-        The agreed action plan had been shared with the Council’s Licensing Team and asked that they assist the Licence Holder to make the required application

-        A fully completed application form had been sent to the Licence Holder on 30^th April requiring it to be checked, signed, dated and returned

-        To date the Licence Holder had failed to do this despite numerous emails being sent by him requesting that the hours of opening be extended until 02:00 a.m.

-        A test purchase was carried out on 12^th May, 2026 and alcohol sold to 2 x 17 year old children.  The member of staff who made the sale informed officers that he did not know about the need to ask for identification and that he had not been trained on this requirement

-        On 16^th May a “street safe” visit was made to the premises.  There had been a solo worker behind the bar who, when asked, had no knowledge of any training records.  She attempted to call the Licence Holder but he did not pick up

-        The Police felt that the Licence Holder had consistently demonstrated that he was either unwilling or unable to promote the licensing objectives and work with Responsible Authorities to bring about necessary improvements

-        The review was not due to the allegation of GBH but due to the attempts to work with the Licence Holder to obtain the CCTV of the serious offence and then to work with him to update the licence

-        The action plan was verbally agreed on 31^st March, 2026.  However, the failed test purchase had followed soon after so a review of the plan had not been taken any further

In response to the Police’s statement, Mr. Havenhand provided the following information:-

-        Mr. Havenhand had held his Personal Licence for approximately 18 months and was also the Designated Premises Supervisor

-        The alleged serious assault had taken place on the street; the Sportsman Inn had been closed at that time

-        The Police had contacted him on 8^th January, 2026, and he had offered them the CCTV recording box as he did not know how to retrieve recordings

-        It had been wrongly stated on social media that the assault had happened in The Sportsman; there had been a backlash against the premises resulting in a loss of trade

-        There were no conditions on the licence requiring CCTV so could not understand why it had been raised as part of the hearing

-        There were regular visits by the Police wanting to look at the refusals book

-        Mr. Havenhand had been on his way to the airport at the time of the failed test purchase.  Ms. Schofield had been upstairs at the premises.  The member of staff should not have been serving behind the bar and had taken it upon himself to serve the 2 young females.  The member of staff no longer worked at the premises.  No-one should have served alcohol until 2.00 p.m.

-        Mr. Havenhand confirmed that he had received the completed licence application form from the Licensing Service

Resolved:-  That, after due consideration of the application for review and to the representations, the Premises Licence in respect of the premises known as The Sportsman Inn, 55 Broad Street, Parkgate, Rotherham S62 6DU, be revoked.