The Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council met on 07 April 2026 to consider an application to transfer the premises licence and vary the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for The Drinks Seller, located at 59 Chippenham Road, Romford. The committee decided not to grant the application.

Application to Transfer Premises Licence and Vary DPS for The Drinks Seller

The committee considered an application to transfer the premises licence and vary the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for The Drinks Seller. The Metropolitan Police objected to the application, citing concerns about the proposed DPS arrangement. PC Chris Stockman, Police Licensing Officer, explained that the contact details provided in the application belonged to Gurmeet Singh Hakimzada, whose own premises licence was revoked in 2018. Furthermore, the proposed DPS, Hasveen Kaur Hakimzada, resides approximately 60 miles away from the premises, raising concerns about her ability to exercise genuine day-to-day control. The police suspected this was a transfer by proxy, undermining the accountability intended by the Licensing Act 2003.

Ms. Hasveen Kaur Hakimzada, represented by Mr. Manpreet Singh Kapoor, stated that her father, Gurmeet Singh Hakimzada, had extensive business experience and was guiding her. She explained that she works four days a week at Specsavers and dedicates three days to the business. She acknowledged her father's previous licence revocation but stated he is no longer involved in the business. Ms. Hakimzada also confirmed she had signed the application paperwork herself.

During the hearing, questions were raised about the validity of the licence issued under tacit consent while representations were being considered. It was clarified that this meant the licence was automatically granted subject to any objections. The committee also explored Ms. Hakimzada's understanding of the licensing objectives, her training, and her father's ongoing guidance. Concerns were raised about her availability as DPS due to her employment at Specsavers and the significant distance from her residence to the premises.

Further discussion revealed that the lease for the premises was still under consideration for assignment to Mr. Gurmeet Singh Hakimzada, and the current tenant, Yusuf Madden, held a lease that expired in 2018 but had been holding over.

Ultimately, the subcommittee decided not to grant the licence transfer and DPS variation. Ms. Hakimzada was informed that she would receive written reasons for the refusal within five days and has 21 days to appeal the decision. The committee clarified that the existing licence remained with Mr. Salih Maden, the previous licence holder, and that Ms. Hakimzada's application to transfer it to herself had been refused.