The Licensing Acts Panel of Vale of White Horse District Council met on Friday, 3 October 2025 to consider an application to vary the designated premises supervisor at a Londis store. The panel was also scheduled to note its procedure for hearings.

Londis, 60 Vineyard, Abingdon, OX14 3PB

The panel was scheduled to consider an application from Londis Marciano Limited to vary the designated premises supervisor (DPS) for the Londis store at 60 Vineyard, Abingdon, OX14 3PB. The proposed new DPS was Mohammed Sarfraz Nazir, who is the sole director of Londis Marciano Limited.

Ian Wares, on behalf of the Chief Officer of Thames Valley Police, submitted an objection notice stating that the specification of Mr Nazir as the DPS would undermine the crime prevention objective¹. According to the notice, Thames Valley Police had submitted a review application in respect of the premises licence, as the premises was suspected of selling alcohol and nitrous oxide to underage customers, along with several licence breaches. The notice also stated that Mr Nazir was present at the premises on 22 May 2025 when a large quantity of nitrous oxide and a sword were seized by police, and that there was an ongoing investigation into potential offences. Thames Valley Police stated that they did not believe that Mr Nazir was a suitable person to hold the position of DPS until the police investigation and review had concluded, due to the risk of undermining the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

The panel was asked to consider the application and the objection notice, and decide whether to grant or refuse the application.

The report pack included extracts from the council's statement of licensing policy, including:

The Licensing Authority will normally expect the DPS to have been given the day-to-day responsibility for running the premises and as such we would encourage the DPS to be present at the licensed premises on a regular basis. The licence holder will also be expected to ensure that the DPS has experience commensurate with the size, capacity, nature, location and style of the premises and licensable activities to be provided. Where the DPS is not available at the premises for whatever reason, the Licensing Authority will expect his or her full contact details to be available at the premises and made known to at least one individual who will be present at the premises.

The report pack also included extracts from the Secretary of State's guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003², including:

The police may object to the designation of a new DPS where, in exceptional circumstances, they believe that the appointment would undermine the crime prevention objective. The police can object where, for example, a DPS is first specified in relation to particular premises and the specification of that DPS in relation to the particular premises gives rise to exceptional concerns. For example, where a personal licence holder has been allowed by the courts to retain their licence despite convictions for selling alcohol to children (a relevant offence) and then transfers into premises known for underage drinking.

Licensing Acts Panel Procedure

The panel was scheduled to note the Vale Licensing Acts Panel Procedure 2025. This document sets out the protocol and procedure adopted by the council's Licensing Acts Committee to ensure that all meetings are carried out in accordance with the law and all parties receive a fair hearing. It includes sections on:

• The licensing objectives and statement of policy
• Before the hearing
• The panel
• Hearing - general principles
• Hearing procedure
• After the hearing
• Record of proceedings
• Remote hearings