The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence for SD Food and Wine, located in the former Cardinal Wolsey Pub building on Hampton Court Road, East Molesey. The application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 8am and 11pm daily. The committee also approved the minutes from previous meetings held on 16 June 2025 and 1 July 2025.

SD Food and Wine Premises Licence Application

The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for SD Food and Wine, situated within the former Cardinal Wolsey Pub building at Hampton Court Road, East Molesey KT8 9BW. The applicant, Mr. Surjit Singh Grover, represented by his agent Mr. Panchal, sought permission to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption between 8am and 11pm, seven days a week.

The application received two objections from local residents, Mr. Jerry Sheridan and Ms. Corinne Sheridan, who raised concerns related to the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.

Concerns raised by objectors included:

• Public Safety and Prevention of Public Nuisance: Concerns were voiced about increased traffic disruption on Hampton Court Road due to customers arriving by car. Mr. Sheridan highlighted that the proposed rear car park entrance/exit is not wide enough for simultaneous entry and exit, potentially causing traffic backups. If the car park is not used, illegal roadside parking and associated traffic disruption were anticipated, particularly given existing parking restrictions on the road. The proximity to Bushy Park and the potential for increased litter and glass bottles were also mentioned.
• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Mr. Sheridan and his neighbour, Mr. Kelly, expressed concerns that the rear car park, if accessible, could become a location for disruptive and criminal activities, citing similar issues at the rear of the adjacent Esso garage.
• Protection of Children from Harm: The presence of the Royal Mews stables next door and children using nearby bus stops were highlighted as reasons for concern regarding increased traffic and potential illegal parking. Mr. Kelly also noted the intention to sell vapes, raising concerns about their influence on young people.

The applicant, Mr. Grover, has extensive experience operating off-licences since 2009 without any reported breaches or underage sales. He has agreed to numerous conditions with the Metropolitan Police, detailed in Appendix B of the public reports pack¹, aimed at promoting the licensing objectives. These include robust CCTV systems, staff training, a Challenge 25 policy, and restrictions on alcohol display. Mr. Panchal emphasised that the premises would primarily be a convenience store, with alcohol sales not exceeding 20% of the overall retail space. He also stressed that parking is a planning matter, not a licensing one, and that the proposed hours are well within the council's policy and not in a cumulative impact zone.

The committee discussed the location of the beer fridge, the visibility from the counter, and the potential for confusion regarding fire exits and the building's layout. It was clarified that the premises is located within the former Cardinal Wolsey Pub building itself, not an adjacent annex. The plan was discussed in detail, with agreements made to amend it to accurately reflect the single entrance and to ensure fire exits are clearly marked and not accessible to the public. The issue of people living in rooms above the premises was also raised, though the applicant stated they were renting from the landlord and not part of the proposed shop's operation.

After deliberation, the subcommittee decided to grant the premises licence. The decision was made after considering the applicant's experience, the agreed conditions with the police, and the proposed operating schedule. The committee also noted that planning matters, such as parking, were outside their remit.