The Licensing Panel E of Camden Council met on Thursday 29 October 2026 to consider two applications for premises licences. A variation to the licence for Tesco at 159-161 Camden High Street was resolved prior to the meeting, and a new premises licence application for Tesco Express at 63-69 New Oxford Street was granted with amended hours and conditions following negotiations.

Tesco, 159-161 Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JY

The application to vary the premises licence for Tesco at 159-161 Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JY, was resolved prior to the meeting and was therefore not considered by the Panel.

Tesco Express, Unit 1, 63-69 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG

The Panel considered an application for a new premises licence for Tesco Express at Unit 1, 63-69 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG. The application sought to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises from 06:00 to 00:00 daily, provide late-night refreshments from 23:00 to 00:00 daily, and have opening hours from 06:00 to 00:00 daily.

Representations were received from the Licensing Authority, Public Health, the Covent Garden Community Association, and a local resident. Following negotiations between the applicant and these parties, representations from the Licensing Authority, Public Health, and the Covent Garden Community Association were withdrawn after agreed conditions and a reduction in licensing hours were proposed. A representation from a local resident, Amarjit Rakhra, remained.

The Panel accepted a late paper submitted by Mr. Rakhra, which detailed concerns about the existing concentration of licensed premises, late-night activity, proximity to residential properties, and the potential for increased alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. Mr. Rakhra requested that alcohol sales be restricted to 08:00 to 20:00 daily, with additional safeguards similar to those imposed on a nearby Tesco in 2018.

Jeremy Bark, legal counsel for the applicant, highlighted that Tesco Express stores are convenience stores with alcohol sales forming a minor part of their business. He detailed Tesco's robust policies and training regarding age verification, responsible retailing, and CCTV, and noted that similar stores operated successfully in other Camden locations. He also stated that Tesco was committed to reviewing how women's safety principles could be integrated into their policies.

After deliberation, the Panel resolved to grant the premises licence with the following conditions:

• Supply of Alcohol (For consumption off the premises): Monday – Sunday 08:00 – 23:00
• Late night refreshments: Monday - Sunday 23:00 – 00:00
• Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 06:00 – 00:00

Additional conditions were added to the licence, including requirements for management presence, age verification training, CCTV coverage, a refusal system for alcohol sales, a Challenge 25 policy, and restrictions on the sale of high-strength lagers and ciders. Alcohol was also to be covered and locked behind secure shutters or in locked fridges when the premises were open outside of alcohol sales hours.