The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider applications for new premises licences and a review of an existing licence. The meeting was to address a new premises licence application for H G Walter and a review of the licence for Best Quality Food and Wine.

H G Walter - 51 Palliser Road, London, W14 9EB

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for H G Walter, located at 51 Palliser Road, London, W14 9EB. The application requested the sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises, with proposed hours of operation from 09:00 to 22:00 for alcohol sales and 09:00 to 22:30 for public opening, Monday to Saturday.

The report pack detailed the applicant's operating schedule, which included steps to promote the four licensing objectives. Following discussions with the Police, additional conditions were agreed upon. These conditions stipulated that the premises would primarily operate as a butcher's shop, with alcohol sales being ancillary to this use. Alcohol supplied during pre-booked classes would be for attendees only, and any alcohol brought by customers for classes could only be consumed on the premises within an agreed licensed area. The conditions also limited the area for alcohol display to no more than 20% of the sales area, permitted vertical drinking ancillary to food consumption in the class area, and stipulated that alcohol sold for off-premises consumption must be in a sealed container. Further conditions related to preventing sales to individuals known for anti-social street drinking, the installation and maintenance of a high-definition CCTV system, comprehensive staff training on the Licensing Act 2003 and age-restricted sales, the maintenance of a daily incident log and a refusals log, and the operation of a Challenge 25 age-restricted sales policy. The applicant also proposed a policy to ensure the welfare and safeguarding of vulnerable patrons.

The background information noted the premises' location in a mixed residential and commercial area, with transport links including nearby Underground stations. Consultation with statutory consultees and local residents had taken place, resulting in four representations from local residents and the freeholder of Palliser Court. The applicant had provided a statement to objectors, along with the agreed conditions. There was no recorded enforcement history for this premises.

The report also outlined relevant policy considerations from the council's Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP), including the aim to support the licensed sector, create a thriving cultural and leisure sector, and ensure a safe licensing environment. Specific policies addressed the requirements for operating schedules, the criteria for licence conditions, and considerations for cumulative impact, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The report detailed the steps the Sub-Committee could take, which included granting the application in full, granting it in part, or rejecting it, all with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives.

Best Quality Food and Wine - 333-335 Lillie Road, London, SW6 7NR

The committee was scheduled to consider a review application for the premises licence of Best Quality Food and Wine, located at 333-335 Lillie Road, London, SW6 7NR. The review application was submitted by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham's Trading Standards Team on the grounds of the protection of children from harm.

The current premises licence, granted in 2012 and transferred in 2015, authorises the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption from Monday to Sunday, 11:00 to 23:00, with opening hours from 08:00 to 23:00 daily. The premises operates as an off-licence in a mixed commercial and residential area.

Consultation had resulted in three representations: one from an individual, one from the Metropolitan Police, and one from the Licensing Authority itself. These representations, along with revised evidence from Trading Standards, had been sent to the Premises Licence Holder. No specific response had been received from the licence holder or their agent, aside from a request for an adjournment.

The report detailed a significant enforcement history for the premises, including multiple instances of alleged underage sales of alcohol and vapes. These included a test purchase in August 2018 where alcohol was sold to a 19-year-old volunteer without proof of age being requested. Subsequent complaints in March 2023 alleged sales of vapes and alcohol to underage girls, and a test purchase on 29 March 2023 resulted in a sale of a vape to a 16-year-old male volunteer. Further complaints in July 2023 alleged the sale of vodka to 14- and 15-year-old girls, leading to one being hospitalised. A licensing inspection in July 2023 identified several breaches of licence conditions, including a non-recording CCTV system and missing signage. Another test purchase on 28 July 2023 resulted in the sale of alcohol to a 16-year-old female volunteer. A further underage test purchase on 10 April 2025 involved a 17-year-old male volunteer purchasing a vape. Most recently, on 17 July 2025, a complaint alleged the sale of alcohol and vapes to 15-year-old girls, with one of them subsequently hospitalised after consuming vodka purchased from the premises. A licensing inspection on 23 July 2025 noted incomplete CCTV coverage, unlabelled alcoholic drinks, and inadequate refusals records. A test purchase on 27 July 2025 resulted in the sale of vapes and vodka to three female volunteers aged between 16 and 16 years and four months.

The report highlighted that the premises licence holder, Mr Tara Ram Singh, and his son, Satnam Singh, had attended Trading Standards training and accepted cautions following earlier incidents. However, the report indicated a continued pattern of alleged non-compliance. The Trading Standards report recommended the revocation of the premises licence, citing a wilful disregard for the law and a failure to protect vulnerable customers, as well as breaches of licence conditions, particularly concerning CCTV and labelling, which may have obscured evidence of underage sales.

The report outlined the council's duty to determine the review with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives and referenced the council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the Secretary of State's Guidance. The report detailed the steps the Sub-Committee could take, including taking no further action, modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the Designated Premises Supervisor, suspending the licence, or revoking the licence.