By Tevye Markson, Local Democracy Reporter

CONCERNS were raised over 'ruse' licence applications that are new 'in name only' ahead of tonight’s Licensing Sub-Committee meeting at Reading Borough Council (RBC).

The sub-committee will hear fresh proposals from two Reading businesses – Jeevika Store and Momo House – which had their licences revoked after illegal workers were found on the premises.

RBC licensing officer Peter Narancic said: “There is a risk of bringing the licensing regime into disrepute if reckless licence holders can avoid the consequences of their behavior by simply putting the licence into someone else’s name when they get caught.”

Katesgrove business Jeevika Store had its licence revoked in January 2018 after employing two illegal workers in 2013 and 2017.

The licence holder has appealed to Reading Magistrates' Court and is awaiting a court date. It is permitted to sell alcohol pending the outcome of the appeal.

Applicant Pajmeet Singh Kalra has applied to sell alcohol as an off licence during 7am-11pm opening hours.

Mr Narancic said: “We believe that that the proposed licence holder will have no day to day control of this business and that he is, in effect, applying for a licence on behalf of someone else – notably the current business owner who has committed serious criminal offences at the premises.”

“Mr Madan is still stated to be paying the business rates for the premises and is still running the post office.”

The licensing sub-committee will also hear from Momo House, with similar concerns from RBC over who will actually be running the business.

Momo House applicant Thir Bahadir Gurung is seeking a licence to sell alcohol on premises during 12am-midnight opening hours and hot food and drink on and off premises from 11pm-midnight.

Caversham restaurant Momo House lost its license in October 2017 after illegal workers fled during a search in July 2017 when Bir Chhantyal was running the business.

The council's Licensing Sub-Committee revoked the licence three months later, after the licence holder refused to attend the hearing.

The Nepalese restaurant, then called Himalaya Momo House, was found to have made seven breaches and had been selling alcohol illegally for more than two years.

Reading Borough Council Licensing officer Richard French expressed concern about who is actually managing and in control of the Caversham restaurant, previously run by Bir Chhantyal and Sirop Chapel as Himalaya Momo House.

At an inspection on 21 July 2018, Mr Chhantyal appeared to be still running the business, while both men’s names are the only ones to appear on the Momo House website.

Mr French said: “Doubts remain whether the applicant – Mr Gurung – is genuinely running the business or whether he has applied for a licence on behalf of Mr Chhantyal.

“The previous licence holder – Sirop Chapel – is still paying the business rates for the premises.

“Therefore doubts remain over whose business this is.”

There are also concerns over Mr Gurung, who was given a caution for an offence related to selling alcohol to children on 14 April 2018.

Thames Valley Police licensing officer Declan Smyth said: “Although Mr Thir Bahadur Gurung was given a caution for this offence; due to its serious nature we believe it represents “exceptional circumstances as set out in Section 18(9)(a) and (b) of the Licensing Act 2003.”

“Thames Valley believe that in its current format this application will undermine the four licensing objectives.

“The applicant has not sufficiently taken into account concerns relating to public nuisance, crime and disorder within the local area.”