The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, to consider an application for a new premises licence. The key focus of the meeting will be the application for a new licence for Londis, located at 152-154 Church Road, NW10 9NH.

New Premises Licence Application: Londis, 152-154 Church Road

The sub-committee will consider an application for a new premises licence submitted by Shivanthakumar Bastianpulle for a Londis store at 152-154 Church Road. The application requests permission to sell alcohol from 10:00 to 23:00, and to remain open from 06:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack notes that the application falls within a Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ)¹. The council's policy presumes that new licenses or variations that increase the scope for alcohol sales in such zones will be refused, unless the applicant demonstrates that the licence will not negatively impact the licensing objectives.

Licensing Authority Representation

Rhea Vagarwal, Licensing Enforcement Officer, has submitted a representation to the sub-committee, recommending that the application be refused. The representation cites concerns regarding the impact on the licensing objectives, particularly in light of the location within the Willesden CIZ.

Ms Vagarwal's representation highlights several key points:

• Cumulative Impact Zone: Willesden is identified as one of twelve CIZs in Brent, where further licenses may undermine the promotion of licensing objectives. The area experiences medium to high levels of deprivation and is a hotspot for alcohol-related calls to the police due to crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Proximity to Existing Off-Licences: Ms Vagarwal notes the presence of several existing off-licences within a short walk of the proposed Londis location, including Shop 4 You, Morgan Cash and Carry, and Sunrise Food Market.
• Public Space Protection Order (PSPO): The entire borough of Brent is subject to a PSPO for street drinking, but Ms Vagarwal suggests that limited police resources hinder its enforcement, placing greater responsibility on premises selling alcohol.
• Applicant's Awareness: Ms Vagarwal expresses concern that Mr Bastianpulle may not be fully aware of the area's status as an anti-social behaviour hotspot. She refers to a conversation where Mr Bastianpulle's knowledge of key factors such as the PSPO, CIZ, and street drinking issues appeared limited.
• Breach of Licence Conditions at Shop 4 You: Ms Vagarwal notes that a police visit to Shop 4 You, another premises for which Mr Bastianpulle holds a licence, found a breach of the licence condition requiring a personal licence holder fluent in English to be present and supervise alcohol sales. PC Brendon McInnes, NW BCU - Brent Licensing, issued a written warning regarding this breach.

Ms Vagarwal concludes that the business plan fails to demonstrate that granting the application would avoid a negative cumulative impact on the licensing objectives.

Whilst a business plan has been provided, it fails to demonstrate that granting this application would avoid negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives and to the contrary, add to the issues of an existing saturated area.

Ms Vagarwal suggests a number of conditions that could be added to the licence should the sub-committee decide to grant the application, including CCTV, a Challenge 25 policy², staff training, an incident log, and restrictions on the sale of single cans/bottles and high-strength alcohol.

Applicant's Perspective

The report pack includes a business plan from the applicant, which aims to address the licensing objectives. Mr Bastianpulle states that the Londis supermarket will be an upmarket store with quality products and that there is local demand for a reputable store where residents can shop safely. He also notes that the store will bring new lights to the area and contribute to regeneration.

The business plan outlines several proposed measures to control alcohol sales, including:

• A till prompt system to remind staff to check ID.
• No sales of single cans or bottles of beer, lager, stout, or cider.
• Spirits sold only in bottles of 35cl or larger.
• Screening off alcohol outside of permitted hours.

The business plan also details measures to promote the licensing objectives, such as CCTV, a Challenge 25 policy, staff training, and a refusals book.