The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council was scheduled to consider a review of the premises licence for J K Convenience Store. The meeting's agenda also included a procedural guidance note.

Review of J K Convenience Store

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a review of the premises licence for J K Convenience Store, located at 250 Ruislip Road, Greenford, UB6 9RS. The application for this review was made by the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement Licensing Compliance Team.

The report pack indicated that the licensable activity authorised by the current premises licence is the retail sale of alcohol for off-supplies, with operating hours from Monday to Saturday between 08:30 and 23:00, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 22:30. The premises is not located within a Special Policy Area as defined in the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

The report detailed that the Home Office's application for review was based on grounds related to the prevention of crime and disorder, specifically citing concerns about illegal working at the premises. This action follows previous enforcement visits. The Immigration Act 2016 amended the Licensing Act 2003 to introduce immigration safeguards, requiring the Home Office to be notified of certain licensing applications and permitting them to make representations or request reviews of existing licences where there are concerns about immigration crime, including illegal working.

One representation was received in support of the premises licence holder, Joseph John Wilson, accompanied by a petition signed by 38 individuals. While this petition demonstrated community backing, it was treated as a single representation in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.

The report also drew attention to the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which outlines proposed standards of management and controls to promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. It noted that conditions can only be imposed where appropriate to promote these objectives and must be derived from relevant representations. The policy also sets out core hours for licensable activities, stating that activities within these hours are generally not considered to have a harmful impact on the licensing objectives.

The report highlighted the legal implications under the Licensing Act 2003, requiring the committee to promote the licensing objectives and have regard to the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and guidance issued by the Secretary of State. It also mentioned the potential for appeals against decisions to a magistrate's court. Furthermore, the report reminded members of their duty to be aware of and take into account implications arising from the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly concerning the right to a fair trial, respect for private and family life, and the protection of property.

The report pack included extensive background documentation, including the Licensing Act 2003, guidance issued under s182 of the Act, Ealing's Statement of Licensing Policy (July 2025), and the Immigration Act 2016. It also contained details of previous enforcement visits, including one on 26 July 2023 where an individual was found working illegally, leading to a civil penalty. A subsequent visit on 21 December 2024 again identified an individual working without the legal right to live and work in the UK. The report detailed the employer's admissions regarding employment practices and the discovery of a fraudulent Biometric Residence Permit.

The Reasons for Review section stated that between July 2023 and December 2024, two visits found individuals working illegally at the premises. Following the first visit, a condition was imposed requiring mandatory right-to-work checks. The report noted that less than a year later, a second visit found another individual working illegally, and the employer admitted to not conducting any right-to-work checks, which was a breach of the imposed condition. The report also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Designated Premises Supervisor in promoting licensing objectives.

The Outcome Sought section indicated that Immigration Enforcement was asking for the premises licence to be revoked, arguing that imposing additional conditions had proven insufficient as a deterrent.

The report pack also included Appendix A, a decision notice from a previous review hearing on 17 January 2024, where the Licensing Sub-Committee decided not to revoke the licence but to add the condition: No persons should be employed without the mandatory right to work checks being satisfactorily completed. Appendix B contained supporting evidence from the enforcement visits.

Panel Procedure Guidance Note

The agenda also listed a Panel Procedure Guidance Note for discussion. This document, available from Committee Services, outlines the procedure to be followed at Licensing Sub-Committee Hearings, including the roles of parties, the presentation of applications and representations, summing up cases, and the process for reaching and issuing decisions. The procedure may be varied at the Chair's discretion.