The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence to Royal Express, located at 12 Faircross Parade, Longbridge Road, Barking, IG11 8UN. The licence allows for late night refreshment from 11pm to 5am, Monday to Sunday, and the sale of alcohol from 9am to 2am daily, superseding the existing licence. This decision came after the Metropolitan Police and the Council's licensing authority withdrew their objections based on an amendment to the original application, which had sought a 24-hour alcohol sales licence.

Royal Express, 12 Faircross Parade, Longbridge Road, Barking, IG11 8UN

Kajan Sivasuthan applied for a new premises licence for Royal Express, seeking permission for late night refreshment and the sale of alcohol 24 hours a day. The council received representations from the Metropolitan Police and the Council's licensing department, raising concerns about public safety, crime and disorder, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Initial Objections

Both the Metropolitan Police and the Council's licensing authority initially objected to the application. Owen Dunn, police licensing officer, cited concerns about the premises' proximity to a park, school, pub, and residential areas, arguing that a 24-hour alcohol licence could increase antisocial behaviour¹ and crime. The Council's licensing authority representative, Samina Baloch, echoed these concerns, pointing to the potential for increased drunkenness, violence, and risks to children, especially given the premises' location opposite Barking Abbey School.

Amendment and Withdrawal of Objections

David Dadds, counsel for the applicant Kajan Sivasuthan, proposed an amendment to the application, limiting the sale of alcohol to between 9am and 2am daily. Following this amendment, both the Metropolitan Police and the Council's licensing authority withdrew their objections. Owen Dunn, police licensing officer, stated that the police had no objections to the amended hours, as the shop was already open until 2am most days without any reported issues of crime or disorder.

Sub-Committee Decision

The Licensing Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Sabbir Zamee, deputy chair of the Licensing & Regulatory Committee, resolved to grant the amended application. The decision allows Royal Express to sell alcohol from 9am to 2am daily, with late night refreshment from 11pm to 5am, superseding the existing licence.