The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council met on Wednesday 31 January 2024 to consider an application for a new premises licence. The primary focus of the meeting was an application by Mr Amandeep Singh Dhall for a new premises licence for the One Stop superstore, located at 284 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4LL.

Application for New Premises Licence: One Stop Superstore

The meeting was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for the One Stop superstore, located at 284 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4LL. Mr Amandeep Singh Dhall applied for the licence to allow for the sale and supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises, with proposed opening hours from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

The application was noted to fall within a Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) established by Brent Council to address issues related to crime, street drinking, and anti-social behaviour (ASB). The council's policy creates a rebuttable presumption that new off-licence applications in these zones will be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate that their operation will not negatively impact the licensing objectives.

Representations opposing the application were received from the Police, Licensing Officers, and Ward Councillor Anton Georgiou. The Police, represented by PC Phil Graves, stated that the applicant, Mr Dhall, appeared unfamiliar with the concept of a CIZ and the four licensing objectives. They expressed concern that granting another off-licence in the area would exacerbate existing problems with street drinking and ASB, citing issues in surrounding roads such as Bowron's Avenue and Douglas Avenue. The Police noted that there are already two other off-licence premises in close proximity on Ealing Road: Anshraj Food & Wine at 290 Ealing Road and Sanremo Food and Wine at 276 Ealing Road.

The Licensing Authority also made representations, echoing concerns about the CIZ and the potential for negative cumulative impact. They highlighted that the borough is subject to a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for street drinking, though enforcement resources are limited, placing greater emphasis on the responsibility of alcohol retailers. The Licensing Authority requested that if the committee decided to grant the licence, a comprehensive list of conditions be attached to the operating schedule.

Councillor Anton Georgiou, representing the Alperton ward, formally opposed the application, citing the existing issues with alcohol-related ASB, littering, and the overall appearance of the area. He argued that another licensed premises would worsen these problems and place a strain on council and police resources.

In response, the applicant, Mr Dhall, submitted a skeleton argument outlining his family's three-year trading history at the premises as a hardware and household goods business. He proposed that the One Stop Superstore would differentiate itself from existing off-licences by offering a wider range of groceries, fresh produce, specialty items, and catering to specific dietary needs. The applicant also detailed plans to offer additional services such as bus card top-ups, parcel delivery partnerships, and PayPoint services. A comprehensive staff training package for alcohol sales, including procedures for preventing underage sales and dealing with intoxicated individuals, was provided. The applicant also noted that no residents had made representations against the application, and that a petition and letters of support from local residents had been submitted.

The report pack indicated that the applicant had proposed an updated operating schedule with numerous conditions aimed at promoting the licensing objectives, including CCTV installation, a Challenge 25 policy, staff training, and restrictions on the types and sizes of alcohol sold. The applicant's legal representatives argued that while the premises is within a CIZ, the concerns raised could be addressed by appropriate conditions, and that the application should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The meeting was scheduled to consider these representations and determine the application, with the potential outcomes including granting the licence, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a premises supervisor, or rejecting the application entirely.