The Licensing Sub-Committee for Richmond upon Thames Council met on Thursday 27 November 2025 to discuss procedure, approve minutes from a previous meeting, and to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence. Councillor Lesley Pollesche, Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee, Councillor Rob O`Carroll, Vice-Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee, and Councillor Jonathan Cardy were scheduled to be in attendance. The meeting was held virtually.

Maham Ltd - 250 Upper Richmond Road West

The main item for consideration was an application to vary a premises licence for Maham Ltd at 250 Upper Richmond Road West, London, SW14 8AG, located in the East Sheen ward.

A report prepared for the sub-committee noted that Maham Ltd had applied to vary its existing licence. The existing licence allowed the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 8:00 to 23:00, Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 22:30 on Sundays. The applicant sought to extend these hours to 01:00, Sunday to Thursday, and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report stated that there had been four representations opposing the application, three from local residents and one from the Metropolitan Police Service, a responsible authority. The report also noted that the premises was currently subject to enforcement action for non-compliance with the Licensing Act 2003¹. The report stated that the premises is located within the Cumulative Impact Area² for Richmond Town Centre. The report stated that the sub-committee could:

• Grant the application with or without conditions
• Grant the application in part, with or without conditions
• Refuse the application

Representations

The report included copies of the representations received.

PC Joel Clewett, Licensing Officer for the Metropolitan Police Service, initially objected to the application, stating that without a reduction of the proposed terminal hour(s) and specific conditions attached to the premises licence, there was a likelihood that the licensing objectives would be undermined. PC Joel Clewett stated that the premises was located a long distance from any 24-hour police base, and response times from Twickenham or Kingston would be at the upper limit. PC Joel Clewett's representation was later withdrawn, based on the accepted conditions and timings presented in the report and proposed conditions.

Smita Roy Chowdhury, a resident of East Sheen, stated that she was completely against the variation of the licence because it would create too much trouble in the area, such as late-night street drinking issues.

Margaret and Stan Crockett objected to the application on the grounds of prevention of crime and prevention of public nuisance, stating that there were plenty of outlets for alcohol nearby, with the local Tesco even being open until 23:00.

John Chambers stated that the premises should not get the licence because, after 23:00, the shop was known to be selling alcohol illegally, which caused problems with people not from around the area. John Chambers also stated that the premises was serving alcohol after 01:00 to a young group of teenagers who were then drinking outside the premises and causing loud noises.

Proposed Conditions

The report also included a list of proposed conditions, including:

• The installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system
• A security and safety plan to help prevent theft and anti-social behaviour
• A clear window policy to deter underage and proxy sales and persons loitering outside
• That alcohol sold for consumption off the premises may only be sold in sealed containers
• That no alcoholic product will be displayed for sale within 2 metres of the customer entrance/exit to the premises
• That shutters shall be used on all alcohol cabinets to prevent the display of alcohol outside permitted hours
• That all spirits will be displayed behind the service counter and out of reach of children
• That there will be no delivery of alcohol to customers off the premises
• That no drug paraphernalia be displayed or sold from the premises
• The maintenance of a refusals book or digital log to record every instance that sales of alcohol are refused
• That the premises will not sell any supermarket own-brand products
• That invoices for all alcohol are to be made available immediately when requested by Council officers or Police Officers
• That all staff engaged or to be engaged in the sale of alcohol on the premises shall receive training in age-restricted sales
• That an incident logbook shall be kept and maintained on the premises
• That customer-facing staff will be provided with Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training[^4] [^4]: Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training provides those working in the licensed industry with an awareness of vulnerability and their responsibilities towards people visiting their premises.
• That staff will routinely check the premises and area out the front during opening hours to ensure that the premises are clean and tidy
• That all staff will be trained to ask customers to leave quietly in the evening when necessary, discourage them from congregating in the immediate vicinity of the premises, and that prominent notices must be displayed at the exit of the premises requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and to leave the premises and area quietly
• That a laminated and fixed door/window sign will be displayed at the entrance to the shop, stating how many children are permitted to enter the shop at one time, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian over the age of 18
• That Challenge 25[^5] will be operated at the premises [^5]: Challenge 25 is a retailing strategy that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID (photographic driving licence, passport or PASS-approved proof of age card) if they are to buy alcohol.

Other Items

The Sub-Committee was also scheduled to:

• Note the procedure to be followed for the hearing.
• Approve the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on Monday 3 November 2025.