The Hounslow Council Licensing Panel met to consider an application for a premises licence for Domino's Pizza on Chiswick High Road. The panel refused the application following concerns about public nuisance and the applicant's failure to address these concerns. Councillor Dan Bowring was appointed Chair of the meeting.

Domino's Pizza, 95 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 2EF

The panel considered an application from Delmon Pizza Ltd t/a Domino's Pizza for a premises licence to allow late night refreshment at 95 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 2EF between 23:00 and 01:00 every day. The application was refused.

The Licensing Panel heard that the Domino's Pizza business was currently unlicensed and located in an area with both residential and commercial properties. The application sought to extend the opening hours, licensing the premises for late night refreshment from 23:00 to 01:00 every day.

During the consultation process, the council received 23 representations from local residents objecting to the application, citing concerns about noise from delivery vehicles, late night stock deliveries, and customers loitering outside the premises late at night. Residents also raised concerns about delivery drivers driving the wrong way on a one-way street, customers littering, and drivers urinating in the alley behind the premises.

The Metropolitan Police did not submit a representation but suggested conditions to be incorporated into the licence if granted, relating to CCTV and reporting serious assaults.

The applicant did not attend the hearing. The Licensing Officer confirmed that the applicant had been notified of the hearing and contacted multiple times, but there was no confirmation of attendance. The Sub-Committee decided to proceed with the hearing, as the applicant had been given sufficient notice and opportunity to prepare.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the written application, oral representations, the Licensing Act 2003, the s182 guidance, Hounslow Council’s licensing policy, and the Human Rights Act 1998.

The Sub-Committee heard from an objector that the noise from the premises during its current operating hours caused a nuisance to local residents. They were concerned that extending the hours would exacerbate the noise nuisance, with customers and delivery drivers remaining in the area later into the night. Concerns were also raised about delivery drivers driving the wrong way on a one-way street, creating a hazard.

The objector also raised concerns about drivers smoking and urinating behind the alley of the premises, and that a manager at the premises did not take these concerns seriously, indicating a lack of control.

The Licensing Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy addresses public nuisance, stating the intention to protect the amenity of residents and businesses from the potential consequences of licensed premises, considering issues such as noise, light, odour, litter, and anti-social behaviour.

The applicant did not respond to the written representations or address the Sub-Committee’s concerns.

The Sub-Committee was concerned about the conduct of the applicant and the assertions of the objectors that a public nuisance existed within the current operating hours, as well as the extended impact this would have on the residents if the application were granted. As a result, the Sub-Committee decided to refuse the application.

The decision can be appealed to the local Magistrate’s Court within 21 days of notification.

Appointment of Chair

Councillor Dan Bowring was appointed Chair of the Licensing Panel. He thanked Councillors Allan Joseph and Karamat Malik for their attendance.