The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council scheduled a meeting to discuss an application for a variation of a premises licence. The meeting was scheduled to discuss representations from the licensing officer and the police regarding the application. Councillors were also invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on the agenda.

Application for Variation of a Premises Licence - Recanto Kings

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence submitted by Recanto K Ltd, for Recanto Kings, a restaurant located at Unit 25 Sapcote Trading Centre, 374 High Road, NW10 2DH. The applicant, represented by Mr Manuel Rocha, sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol, late night refreshment, and regulated entertainment.

Specifically, the application requested:

• To extend the hours for the sale of alcohol from 10:00 AM until 01:30 AM Sunday to Thursday, and until 02:30 AM Friday to Sunday.
• To add late night refreshment from 11:00 PM until 01:30 AM Sunday to Thursday, and from 11:00 PM until 02:30 AM Friday to Sunday.
• To add regulated entertainment from 11:00 PM until 01:30 AM Sunday to Thursday, and from 11:00 PM until 02:30 AM Friday to Sunday.

Background

The report pack included background information noting that the premises was currently licensed for:

• Sale of Alcohol – Saturday from 10 AM to Midnight, Sunday to Thursday and until 1.30 AM Friday & Saturday.
• Late Night Refreshment and Regulated Entertainment - from 11 PM to Midnight Sunday to Friday & Saturday.
• Opening Hours – 8.00 AM to 12.30 AM Sunday to Thursday and until 2.00 AM Friday & Saturday

Representations

The committee was scheduled to consider representations received from both the Licensing Officer and the Police.

Licensing Authority Representation

The Licensing Authority representation, submitted by Licensing Inspector Esther Chan, recommended refusal of the variation application. The representation cited concerns regarding the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.

The representation noted a history of complaints and non-compliance issues at Recanto Kings, including:

• Complaint 1 (July 9, 2024): Overcrowding, staff selling alcohol to intoxicated patrons, disorderly conduct, patrons taking glass drinking vessels outside, and antisocial vehicle use.
• Complaint 2 (September 2, 2024): Loud music and general antisocial behaviour.
• Complaint 3 (September 5, 2024): Additional noise complaint.
• Complaint 4 (January 17, 2025): Noise complaint received via the NoiseApp[^2]. [^2]: The Noise App is a mobile application that allows users to record and report noise disturbances to local authorities.

The representation also referenced a Closure Notice issued by the police on 11 July 2025, due to breaches of licensing conditions, including:

• Alcohol being served without a main meal.
• Customers taking open drink containers outside.
• Inadequate staff training.
• An incomplete incident log.

A consultation visit on 22 July 2025, revealed that the premises layout did not match the plan attached to the premises licence, with the stage having been relocated and a new bar installed near the entrance.

The Licensing Authority stated that it was:

not satisfied that the promotion of the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder, will be upheld by granting this variation.

Police Representation

The Police representation, submitted by PC Brendon McInnes, also objected to the variation of the premises licence. The police cited concerns with all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

PC Brendon McInnes stated that since the previous variation was granted, a number of incidents had come to police attention, including violence, antisocial behaviour, and drug use. The police representation included a list of CAD¹ references for incidents at or near the premises. The police also referenced the licensing visit on 11 July 2025, which resulted in a Closure Notice due to multiple breaches of the premises licence. A return visit on 26 July 2025, found that customers were still using tables and chairs outside of the licensable area to consume alcohol.

The police stated that they strongly objected:

to the variation of the premises licence until the venue can demonstrate that they can run the venue correctly and with in accordance with their licence.