The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Goa Food & Wine. The committee was also provided with guidance on its procedures.

New Premises Licence Application: Goa Food & Wine

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a new premises licence application for Goa Food & Wine, located at 16 Dudley Road, Southall, UB2 5AR. The applicant, Mr Aleixo Bengito Sequeira, sought permission to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption from Monday to Thursday between 08:00 and 23:00, and from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 23:00. The premises itself is currently vacant.

The report pack indicated that the application had undergone consultation with various responsible authorities, including the Police Authority, Environmental Health, and the Fire Authority. However, the initial consultation period had to be restarted due to an issue with the display of the statutory notice at the premises.

Representations were received from Karibu Community Homes and the Metropolitan Police Service. Karibu Community Homes, a registered landlord, raised objections based on concerns about alcohol dependency and anti-social behaviour in the area, citing statistics from the Health of the Borough Report 2024 which indicated Southall Green as having high alcohol admission rates. They argued that granting another licence would increase crime rates and put residents at risk.

The Metropolitan Police Service also submitted a representation, highlighting concerns related to the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the prevention of crime and disorder. Their representation detailed observations of drug use, street drinking, and anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of Dudley Road, supported by statements from local police constables and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). These statements described incidents of drug paraphernalia, suspected drug dealing, and public intoxication leading to nuisance and potential violence. The police noted that the area already has three off-licence/convenience shops and expressed concern that a fourth would exacerbate existing issues. They also raised questions about the applicant's experience in running an off-licence in such a challenging environment.

The report pack also outlined the council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹, which sets out core hours for licensable activities and policies for different types of licensed premises. It detailed the legal implications of the Licensing Act 2003² and the Human Rights Act 1998³, emphasizing that any decision must be compatible with European Convention on Human Rights, particularly Article 6 (right to a fair trial), Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life), and Article 1 of the First Protocol (protection of property).

Panel Procedure Guidance Note

The committee was also provided with a guidance note on the procedure for Licensing Sub-Committee hearings. This document outlined the general process, including the role of the Chair, representation by parties, and the sequence of events during a hearing, such as the introduction of the report by the Licensing Officer, presentations by the applicant and those making representations, and the summing up of cases. It also detailed how decisions are reached and communicated.