The Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council met on Tuesday 07 April 2026 to review the premises licence for The Drinks Seller. The committee decided to revoke the licence due to serious concerns about the operation of the premises and a lack of compliance with licensing objectives.

Revocation of Licence for The Drinks Seller

The Licensing Sub-Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for The Drinks Seller, located at 59 Chippenham Road, Romford, RM3 8HL. This decision was made following an application for a review of the licence by Mr Oisin Daly, a Public Protection Officer for the London Borough of Havering. The review was initiated due to concerns that the licensing objectives were being undermined.

The primary issues raised during the hearing included poor supervision, bad practice, and a lack of due diligence at the premises. It was highlighted that the previous licence holder and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mr Salih Maden, had ceased operating the business in 2025, leaving a period of uncertainty regarding who was in control. Despite being informed by a council officer that selling alcohol was unlawful without a DPS, a staff member was observed selling a can of high-strength alcohol.

Representations were also made by the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement. The police expressed concerns about the proposed transfer of the licence and the appointment of a new DPS, citing issues with transparency, compliance, and the integrity of the licensing regime. They noted that the proposed DPS lived a significant distance from the premises and that an individual with a history of employing illegal workers was linked to the application. The Home Office echoed these concerns, highlighting that businesses associated with Gurmeet Singh Hakimzada had previously been issued civil penalties for employing individuals without the legal right to work in the UK.

Mr Salih Maden, the former owner, stated he was ready to take full control of the business again, but acknowledged that he had not seen the necessary transfer documents and had relied on trust. He admitted that he had not made sufficient efforts to safeguard himself during the transition period.

The committee concluded that the premises had failed to meet basic legal standards, and there was a lack of identifiable management and effective control. The decision to revoke the licence was made to prevent further breaches and protect the licensing objectives. The licence holder will receive written notification of the decision within five working days and has 21 days to appeal.