The Hounslow Council Licensing Panel met to consider an application for a premises licence for Karak Chaii, and ultimately approved the application with additional conditions to address concerns about public nuisance. Councillor Farhaan Rehman was appointed Chair of the meeting.

Karak Chaii, 26C High Street, Hounslow, TW3 1NW

The Licensing Panel approved the application for a premises licence for Karak Chaii, located at 26C High Street, Hounslow, TW3 1NW. Global Gourmet Ltd T/A Karak Chaii applied for the licence, which includes permission for late night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:00, Monday to Sunday, and opening hours from 07:00 to 02:00, Monday to Sunday. Non-standard timings were also requested for New Year’s Eve and Eid Eve.

The panel considered the Panel Report - Karak Chaii, the premises licence Application, and the Agreed Police Conditions.

The Licensing Enforcement team received one representation from the Community Enforcement/Noise Pollution Team, and the police also submitted agreed police conditions.

Scott McCreadie, Regulatory Enforcement Officer, Community Enforcement and Regulatory Services, objected to the application, citing concerns about public nuisance and public safety. His concerns stemmed from the likelihood of delivery drivers and riders parking illegally, causing congestion, noise, and risks to pedestrians and other road users.

The applicant, represented by two directors and co-owners, explained that they had recently taken over the business and were keen to improve sales by opening later. They were aware of the objections and had implemented measures to mitigate the suggested risks. To address parking issues, they had created a delivery driver's policy requiring drivers to use the back entrance of the premises, where there are allocated parking spaces.

The panel queried the applicant about the hours they were seeking, given that they had initially agreed to the conditions and timings suggested by the police, who had proposed reduced timings until 00:00 instead of 02:00. The applicant acknowledged their agreement but stated that after considering alternative arrangements, they wished to seek the hours as stated in the application.

Regarding the non-standard timings for New Years eve and Eid eve, the panel were conscious that there was no way of the council knowing which date the applicant was going to operate the non-standard timings. The applicant confirmed that they would use the Hounslow Jamia Masjid Centre for guidance as to when Eid is confirmed and celebrated.

The panel also queried whether the applicant intended to use the outside tables and chairs at the front of the premises after 23:00, due to concerns about potential noise nuisance to nearby residents. The applicant explained that there were currently no residents living in the properties above the premises due to health and safety issues. They also added that the residents living above the premises were customers and had produced a petition to show their support for the licence application. The applicant agreed to a condition preventing the use of outside seating beyond 23:00 and to keeping windows and doors shut after 23:00 to prevent noise nuisance.

The panel decided to grant the application, stating that the additional hours would not add to issues within the Cumulative Impact Area¹ and that the proposed conditions would address the concerns raised and help promote the Licensing Objectives. The conditions include:

• Installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system.
• A staff member conversant with the CCTV system to be on the premises at all times.
• The Premises Licence holder or Manager will be responsible for assessing the need for security staff.
• Correct time and date to be generated onto both the recording and the real time image screen.
• All outside tables and chairs shall be rendered unusable between 23:00hrs to 07:00hrs the following day.
• No deliveries to the premises shall take place between 23.00hrs and 08.00hrs on the following day.
• All windows and external doors shall be kept closed after 23:00hrs.
• The Licence Holder is required to provide written notification to the Licensing Authority of its intention to operate the Eid eve non-standard hours.
• The premises will encourage all riders involved in deliveries to use their vehicles in a responsible manner.
• Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and businesses and leave the area quietly.
• An incident log shall be kept at the premises and made available on request.

The panel also reminded the applicant that a breach of the licence times and conditions could result in a review of the premises licence, modification of the conditions, or even revocation of the licence.

Appointment of Chair

Councillor Farhaan Rehman was appointed Chair of the Licensing Panel. He thanked Councillor Dan Bowring for his attendance.

Other Matters

The Agenda frontsheet for the meeting included a reminder to committee members to declare any pecuniary interests² in matters being discussed, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, and referred to the MO Guidance on Declaring Interests - March 2025 - Copy.