This meeting was scheduled to discuss an application for a new off-licence¹ at 83 Mitcham Road, Tooting.

Application for a new off-licence at 83 Mitcham Road

Neeto Kaur Sachdeva applied for a new off-licence at 83 Mitcham Road, to be called Mitcham Road Local. The shop would be open from 8am to 11pm every day and would sell alcohol.

The Metropolitan Police objected to the application on the grounds that it would be likely to increase crime in the area. They noted that:

number 83 Mitcham Road appears to share the same staff with the neighbouring premises at 85 Mitcham Road, that had its premises licence revoked following a review application submitted by Wandsworth Chief Trading Standards officer, following multiple failures identified by officers including breaches of licence conditions and the sale of restricted products including alcohol and cigarettes to underage persons.

The licence for the shop at 85 Mitcham Road was revoked in January 2023.

The Police also allege that the applicant for the new off-licence, Neeto Kaur Sachdeva, is related to the previous licence holder. They say:

The revoked licence for 85 Mitcham Road was in the name of a Mr Meet Singh Sachdeva, who was represented at the hearing by a Mr Anu Singh Sachdeva. The current applicant for this new application at 83 Mitcham Road is Neeto Kaur Sachdeva, who has provided the same home address as the revoked licence holder’s address. As such the Police are concerned that it is the same people from the same family who will be operating a premises licence (if granted).

The Police therefore asked the Licensing Sub-Committee to refuse the application.

Wandsworth Council's Trading Standards team² also raised concerns about the application, relating to the protection of children from harm. However, following discussions with the applicant, these concerns were resolved.