The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Monday 23 January 2017 and decided to revoke the premises licence for Kew Road Stores. The committee also considered an application for Alcazar, 190 Castelnau Road, Barnes, SW13 9DH, which was withdrawn.

Kew Road Stores, 107 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2PN

The Licensing Sub-Committee resolved to revoke the premises licence for Kew Road Stores, located at 107 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2PN. This decision followed an application for a review of the licence by the Metropolitan Police, who argued that the premises had breached licence conditions by selling high-strength alcohol.

PC John McGann of the Metropolitan Police presented the case, stating that the premises had been granted a licence less than two years prior, with an agreed condition prohibiting the sale of beers, ciders, or lagers at or above 5.6% ABV. This condition was put in place due to the premises' location within the Richmond Cumulative Impact Zone and its proximity to the Spear hostel. The Police had observed street drinkers outside the Spear hostel purchasing alcohol from Kew Stores, and the hostel reported an increase in rent arrears from residents who had outstanding tabs with the store. During a visit, PC McGann found that staff at Kew Stores could not produce a copy of the premises licence and that nine different types of super-strength beers, lagers, and ciders were on sale. Invoices dating from May to October 2016 indicated continued purchases of high-strength alcohol. PC McGann argued that these actions preyed on vulnerable people and sought the revocation of the licence.

Barry Young, Team Leader at the Spear hostel, supported the Police's application. He described an increase in Spear residents becoming intoxicated, with many unable to pay their rent due to debts with Kew Stores. He also noted an increase in abusive behaviour from residents towards staff and a decline in their engagement with rehabilitation programmes. Mr. Young stated that members of the public had also complained about the anti-social behaviour of inebriated Spear residents.

Barry Croft, representing the Licensing Authority, also supported the revocation, citing the negative impact on vulnerable Spear residents due to the licence holder's non-compliance.

Mr. Kandasamy Paraneetharan, the Designated Premises Supervisor and husband of the licence holder, admitted that the store had been selling super-strength beers, ciders, and lagers. He claimed that some stock had been delivered by mistake and could not be returned, and that other sales were part of a promotion or made in error. He accepted responsibility for one order of super-strength beer made on behalf of a regular customer living above the store. Mr. Paraneetharan stated that alcohol sales accounted for approximately 15% of the store's total sales and that the store had only sold super-strength beers for two to three months. He committed to not selling such products in the future and asked that the premises be provided with photos of Spear residents.

The Sub-Committee heard that Mr. Paraneetharan had held a personal licence for over 10 years and that this was his first breach of licensing conditions.

In summing up, PC McGann maintained that revocation was the only option due to the breaches of agreed conditions, indicating a lack of trust in the licence holder. Mr. Croft echoed this sentiment, stating that revocation was necessary due to the licence holder's irresponsibility and the negative impact on the community and vulnerable individuals.

The Sub-Committee's reasons for revoking the licence included:

• The premises trading irresponsibly, with a harmful effect on vulnerable people and the local community.
• The admission by the Designated Premises Supervisor of selling high-strength alcohol in breach of the licence for a period of 2-3 months, with evidence suggesting longer.
• The significant impact of these sales on Spear Hostel residents' behaviour and recovery, undermining the hostel's work.
• The Designated Premises Supervisor's awareness of customers congregating to street drink after purchasing alcohol from the shop.
• The Police's specific request for the high alcohol sales prohibition condition in 2015 due to the premises' location.
• The Designated Premises Supervisor's unconvincing explanations and conflicting reasons for the breaches, given his experience.
• The Sub-Committee's lack of confidence that any lesser measure than revocation would uphold the licensing objectives of the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and the Prevention of Public Nuisance.

The decision to revoke the licence does not take effect for 21 days to allow for any appeals.

Alcazar, 190 Castelnau Road, Barnes, SW13 9DH

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.