The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council granted a variation to the premises licence for Butchers Road Newsagents, located at 83 Butchers Road, Canning Town, London E16 1NE. The variation allows for extended hours for the supply of alcohol. The committee also imposed two additional conditions: mandatory annual refresher training for all staff and the requirement for a personal licence holder to be present at the premises during all licensable hours.

Variation of Premises Licence for Butchers Road Newsagents

The Sub-Committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for Butchers Road Newsagents, 83 Butchers Road, Canning Town, London E16 1NE. The application sought to extend the hours for the supply of alcohol off the premises from Monday to Saturday 06:00 to 22:00 and on Sundays from 07:00 to 19:00.

Representations against the application were received from the Council's Licensing Team, citing concerns related to the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. No representations were received from other responsible authorities or local residents.

During the hearing, the applicant's agent, Mr. Waseem Sherwani from Welcome Skills, and the Licensing Enforcement Officer, Shane Passfield, discussed and agreed upon a set of conditions. These included:

• Alcohol Controls: Alcohol is not to be sold in open containers or consumed on the premises. Beers, lagers, stouts, and ciders sold will not exceed 6% ABV, with exceptions for Dragon Stout Original and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. Spirits must be kept behind the counter and not available for self-service. All alcohol for sale must be within clear view of CCTV cameras. Spirits are not to be sold in bottles less than 20cl. A minimum of two cans or bottles of cider, stout, lager, or beer must be sold at any one time, with an exception for bottles of 600ml and over. The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), premises licence holder, or a personal licence holder must be present during licensable hours.
• Challenge 25 Policy: A 'Challenge 25' policy will be adopted, requiring staff to ask for proof of age from customers who appear under 25. Accepted forms of ID include PASS hologram cards, UK photo driving licences, passports, and military ID. Notices advising customers of this policy will be displayed prominently.
• Staff Competence and Training: The licensee will maintain a written record of all staff authorised to sell alcohol, including their personal details. Staff must receive adequate and documented training on age-restricted product laws. They must be aware of their responsibilities regarding age verification and be capable of challenging underage purchasers.
• Refusals Book: A register of refused sales of age-restricted products will be kept, detailing the time, date, description of the purchaser and product, reason for refusal, and the name/signature of the refusing salesperson. This book will be regularly examined by the licensee, with examination dates recorded.
• CCTV: A CCTV system will be installed and maintained, covering all entry and exit points. It will continuously record while the premises are open and conducting licensable activities. Recordings will be stored for a minimum of 31 days and be downloadable. Footage will be provided to authorised officers within 48 hours of request. A staff member conversant with the CCTV system must be present when the premises are open. Camera quality must be sufficient to identify facial features.
• Waste Management: Adequate measures will be in place to remove litter and waste generated by customers, preventing accumulation in the vicinity of the premises. Sufficient receptacles will be provided for waste. Deliveries by alcohol suppliers will only take place between 09:00 and 17:00.

The Sub-Committee also imposed two further conditions:

1. Annual Refresher Training: All staff on the premises must undertake refresher training every 12 months. This was deemed necessary due to concerns raised during a compliance visit on 28th April 2026, where staff appeared unaware of licensing conditions and breaches were noted.
2. Personal Licence Holder Presence: A personal licence holder must be present at the premises at all times during licensable hours. This condition was added to further promote the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that the agreed and imposed conditions would promote the four licensing objectives. They noted that the premises had not been subject to any enforcement action since its licence was granted in 2008. The committee also considered the need to promote economic growth and was satisfied that granting the application would bring economic benefits to the premises and the local area.

The decision to grant the variation was made after considering all written and oral representations. The detailed reasons for the decision, including the additional conditions, will be provided in a written decision letter within five working days. Parties have the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days of receiving the decision letter.