The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to discuss two applications relating to Costcutter, 14-20 Farr Avenue, Barking IG11 0NZ. The committee refused a new premises licence for the Costcutter, but approved the transfer of the existing licence, with the caveat that this was to facilitate the removal of Ismail Garup as a licence holder, and not an endorsement of Caglar Garup as the sole licence holder.

New Premises Licence Application - Costcutter, 14-20 Farr Avenue, Barking IG11 0NZ

The sub-committee refused the application for a new premises licence for Costcutter, 14-20 Farr Avenue, Barking IG11 0NZ. The application was made by Caglar Garip, and sought to license the premises for the sale of alcohol from 8am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

The Metropolitan Police and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Alcohol Licensing Team submitted representations against the application, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder. These concerns stemmed from a review of the premises licence on 28 August 2025, which resulted in the revocation of the licence due to the employment of illegal workers and breaches of licensing conditions.

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement Alcohol Licensing Team stated that:

Immigration Enforcement has no confidence that Taglar Garib would be able to uphold the licensing objectives in the future.

The Metropolitan Police Licensing Officer raised concerns that Caglar Garip, who was a licence holder at the time of the offences, was not a suitable person to hold a licence. They argued that Mr Garip should have been aware of the illegal activities taking place at the premises.

David Dadds, representing the applicant, argued that Caglar Garip was not responsible for the employment of the illegal workers, as his father, Ismail Garup, was the sole director and shareholder of the company. He also highlighted that Caglar Garip had put in place robust measures to prevent future breaches of the licensing objectives, including joining Licensing Connect, an online platform providing training and resources for licensed premises.

Despite these arguments, the sub-committee was not satisfied that the licensing objectives would be promoted if the application were granted.

Transfer Application - Garip Superstore T/A Costcutter, 14-20 Farr Avenue, Barking IG11 0NZ

The sub-committee resolved to transfer the premises licence, specifically to remove Ismail Garup as a premises licence holder. The committee emphasised that this decision was not an endorsement of Caglar Garup as the sole licence holder.

The application sought to transfer the premises licence from the current holders, Caglar Garip and Ismail Garup, to Caglar Garip alone. The Metropolitan Police objected to the transfer, raising similar concerns to those raised in relation to the new premises licence application. PC Owen Dunn, East Area Licensing Team, stated that police did not feel that Mr Garip was suitable to be a licence holder.

David Dadds, representing the applicant, reiterated that Caglar Garip was not responsible for the past failings of the premises and that he was committed to promoting the licensing objectives going forward. He also pointed out that the Home Office did not object to the transfer.

The sub-committee decided to approve the transfer, but made it clear that this was only to facilitate the removal of Ismail Garup from the licence.

Following the decision, David Dadds indicated that they would withdraw the application to transfer and cease the sale of alcohol, and then resubmit a new application. He said that this was because a refusal of a transfer has immediate effect, and to continue to trade they would have to make another application.