The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 29 April 2026 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Alsa Express, located at 442 to 444 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham. The committee decided to approve the application with revised hours and conditions, rather than granting the requested 24-hour alcohol sales.

Variation to Premises Licence for Alsa Express

The primary focus of the meeting was an application by Sahin Tasyurdu for Alsa Express to vary its premises licence. The original application sought to extend the sale of alcohol to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This proposal was met with a representation from the Metropolitan Police, who objected on the grounds of the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

The Metropolitan Police, represented by PC Owen Dunn, argued that 24-hour alcohol sales were excessive and unnecessary, particularly given the proximity of schools, parks, and the busy A13 road. PC Dunn stated, We know the effects alcohol can have on individuals and groups, and it can often be the catalyst for antisocial behaviour and criminality through poor decisions made via impairment. The police proposed revised hours of 8 am to 11:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 8 am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 am to 11:30 pm on Sundays, along with agreed conditions.

Emin Fazal Yurtukul, the agent for Alsa Express, presented the applicant's case. He explained that the initial 24-hour request had been withdrawn, and they were now seeking to sell alcohol until 3 am. Mr. Yurtukul highlighted the premises' location on a busy transport corridor and the presence of other late-night establishments in the area. He also presented customer signatures in support of extended hours, though the validity and clarity of these signatures were questioned by the police. Mr. Yurtukul argued that the premises had a clean record and that the requested hours were supported by local demand.

After deliberation, the Licensing Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Sabbir Zamee, with Councillor Victoria Hornby and Councillor Regina Rahman in attendance, determined that granting the application in full would not promote the licensing objectives. However, they were minded to approve the application subject to the applicant agreeing to the police's proposed revised hours and conditions. The applicant agreed to these revised terms.

The final decision was to approve the variation to the premises licence for Alsa Express with the following hours for the sale of alcohol:

• Monday to Thursday: 8 am to 11:30 pm
• Friday and Saturday: 8 am to midnight
• Sunday: 10 am to 11:30 pm

These revised hours are to be implemented alongside the conditions previously agreed upon between the applicant and the Metropolitan Police. The committee concluded that this decision would uphold the licensing objectives.