The Islington Council Licensing Sub Committee A met on 30 June 2025 to review the premises licence for Cally Local, 490 Caledonian Road, following a closure order issued by Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. Councillors voted to revoke the licence, citing the licensee's failure to uphold the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

Cally Local Premises Licence Review

The primary item on the agenda was a review of the premises licence for Cally Local, a shop located at 490 Caledonian Road. The review was triggered by a closure order issued by Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on 11 June 2025, under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The closure order was a result of illicit goods and cannabis being found on the premises during a visit by Islington Trading Standards.

The Licensing Officer informed the sub-committee that the licensee, Kamber Yelocagi, had been notified of the hearing but would not be in attendance, claiming he had forgotten about it. Despite being informed that the hearing could proceed in his absence, Mr Yelocagi did not submit any materials in his defence.

Representatives from Trading Standards, Community Safety, the Police, and the Licensing Authority each presented their reasons for supporting the review of the licence.

• Trading Standards: The representative from Trading Standards reiterated the findings of their inspection on 14 March 2025, which led to the discovery of illicit tobacco and cannabis. They stated that they had no confidence that the licensing principles could be complied with by the premises licence holder. Alonso Ercilla, Trading Standards Manager, stated that:

Given the chronology of events described above, Trading Standards has got no confidence that the licensing principles are or ever could be complied with by the premises licence holder (PLH). Indeed, there seems to be a complete disregard and uninterest in them. This therefore seems like a case where the circumstances and facts urge, in our view, that the licensing committee be minded to revoke the premises licence.

• Community Safety: The Community Safety representative expressed full support for the review, citing drug-related problems in the community and a recent increase in anti-social behaviour in the Laycock and Holloway wards. Matthew Bunce, Community Safety Officer, stated in the Public reports pack that:

In light of the recent closure order that was granted for 490 Caledonian Road following police finding drugs within the premises and the drug related problems within the community, it would be my professional view that the licence for the premises should be revoked to prevent further issues in the local area.

• Police: The Police representative reiterated that the court's decision to issue a closure order was based on evidence that the premises did not support licensing objectives. They stated that they had no confidence in Mr Yelocagi to act responsibly and requested that the premises licence be revoked. PC Tim Livermore stated in the Public reports pack that:

The Police have considered suggesting additional conditions to ensure the venue is run within the law and in keeping with the licensing objectives were it able to reopen when the closure order ends. The Licensing Police Team at Islington have concluded that this would be ineffective as a premises licence can not be conditioned to prevent criminality of this kind or the risk to the public from illegal drug production and supply which is covered by criminal legislation.

• Licensing Authority: The Licensing Authority representative expressed full support for the review and recommended that the sub-committee revoke the licence for the premises, stating that the premises had been found to be stocking dangerous goods.

In response to questions from the sub-committee, it was clarified that Mr Yelocagi was both the leaseholder and the designated premises supervisor (DPS) for the premises.

The Legal Officer advised the sub-committee to have regard to statutory guidance, specifically paragraph 11.27, which addresses criminal activity in connection with licensed premises, such as the sale and distribution of drugs and smuggled tobacco.

The sub-committee resolved to revoke the premises licence for Cally Local. The reasons for the decision were that the licensee had been notified about the hearing but did not attend or submit a representation. The sub-committee also noted that all parties attending the hearing supported the revocation of the licence. The sub-committee determined that Mr Yelocagi, as both the premises licence holder and the designated premises supervisor, had failed to uphold the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.