The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to convene to consider a single application for a new premises licence. The application was for Sanjit Express, located at 327 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA9 6BA, and sought permission to sell alcohol. Councillors were also expected to note declarations of interest from any members.

New Premises Licence Application: Sanjit Express, 327 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA9 6BA

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence submitted by Swatiben Thakkar for Sanjit Express, 327 Harrow Road. The application requested permission to sell alcohol from 9am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

According to the report pack, the application site falls within a Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The report pack notes that the council's Statement of Licensing Policy presumes that new licenses, or variations to existing licenses that increase the scope for the sale of alcohol, will not be granted within a CIZ, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the licence will not negatively impact the licensing objectives¹.

The report pack notes that representations against the application were received from the police, a licensing officer, and a local Councillor.

Licensing Officer Representation

Edwin Maldoom, Licensing Enforcement Officer, submitted a representation stating that granting the application would likely have a detrimental effect on the licensing objectives. He noted that the applicant had put forward a limited number of conditions to promote the licensing objectives, many of which lacked clarity or detail. He gave examples of conditions that appeared inconsistent, unclear, or copied from a separate premises licence application, such as:

Installing surveillance cameras throughout the bar – The reference to the premises being a bar contradicts the nature of the application, which is for an off-licence.

Edwin Maldoom also stated that the application failed to include any meaningful measures to address street drinking and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the local area, and made no reference to the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).

The Licensing Authority's proposed conditions for the Licensing Sub-Committee included measures for the prevention of crime and disorder, such as operating a CCTV system, keeping an up-to-date incident log, and providing staff training. Further proposed conditions related to public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm, including the operation of a Challenge 25² scheme.

In an email to Raj Jagtap, agent for the applicant, Edwin Maldoom stated that he did not believe that any amendments made to the application would be sufficient enough to change the Licensing Authority's position, and maintained that the representation should be upheld.

Police Representation

PC Phil Graves, Licensing Constable, stated that the police opposed the application in full, as it was believed that all four of the licensing objectives would not be met. PC Phil Graves stated that the venue sits within the Wembley Central Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), and that Brent Council's policy details how any new off-licence application will be refused unless the application can show that it will not have a negative effect on the licensing objectives.

PC Phil Graves stated that there are already adequate off-licences in the immediate vicinity of 327 Harrow Road, and that adding another off-licence to this area would only add to the street drinking, anti-social behaviour and crime already too high in this area.

PCSO Baker 7112NW provided a witness statement regarding the application. PCSO Baker 7112NW stated that there has been a noticeable rise in anti-social behaviour and street drinking in the area, which is already a significant concern for residents. PCSO Baker 7112NW stated that residents have reported feeling unsafe and intimidated walking past groups of males street drinking alcohol when entering and leaving their homes.

Councillor Representation

Councillor Ajmal Akram, Labour Councillor for Wembley Hill, formally objected to the proposed alcohol licence for the premises, citing concerns over the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. Councillor Ajmal Akram stated that there has been a noticeable rise in anti-social behaviour and street drinking in the area, and that within a 100 metre radius of the proposed site, there are already approximately seven shops selling alcohol. Councillor Ajmal Akram also raised concerns regarding the proposed closing time of 2am, stating that this is far beyond the standard for most off-licences in the area, and is likely to lead to increased noise and disruption during late-night hours.