The Licensing Panel of Harrow Council met on Thursday 15 January 2026 and granted a new premises licence for Obi Express, located at 2 Handel Parade, Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, Harrow, HA8 6LD. The decision followed a hearing to consider an application for the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption.

Obi Express Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Panel granted a new premises licence to Obi Express, located at 2 Handel Parade, Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, Harrow, HA8 6LD. The licence permits the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between Monday and Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The premises will also be open to the public during these hours.

The application had received five representations from members of the public, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on the local environment, including increased litter, noise, and anti-social behaviour. Objections also cited concerns regarding an over-concentration of licensed premises, increased risk of crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm, particularly due to the premises' proximity to a school and community facilities.

However, the Metropolitan Police consulted with the applicant and agreed to a comprehensive set of 23 conditions to be attached to the licence, which aimed to address the concerns raised by residents. The applicant's representative, Mr. Chris Lucan from The Licensing Guys, argued that the application was well-conditioned and that the applicant, Muhammad Yahya Chapra, had invested significantly in the premises to ensure it would be a positive addition to the community. He highlighted that no objections were received from other responsible authorities, such as the police, trading standards, or children's services.

The applicant's representative also addressed the specific concerns raised by objectors, stating that the proposed hours were not excessive, that measures would be in place to prevent noise nuisance, and that litter would be managed effectively, as detailed in condition 23 of the agreed conditions. Regarding crime and disorder, statistics for the area were presented, indicating a low crime rate. The applicant's representative also emphasised the strict implementation of the Challenge 25 policy to prevent underage sales and noted that parking issues were not a licensing objective.

The Licensing Panel considered the applicant's proposed conditions, which included restrictions on the sale of single cans of beer, lager, and cider, limitations on high-strength alcohol, and the prohibition of spirit miniatures. They also noted the implementation of CCTV, staff training, and the Challenge 25 scheme. The Panel concluded that these conditions, along with the lack of substantive evidence from the objectors and the absence of objections from the police, adequately addressed concerns that the licence, if granted, would not undermine the licensing objectives.

The decision to grant the licence was made on 15 January 2026. The formal notification of the decision will be sent to the applicant within three to five working days. Any party aggrieved by this decision has the right to appeal to the local Magistrates' Court within 21 days of being notified.