The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to consider a single application for a new premises licence. This application was for Craven Park Local, located at 28 Craven Park Road, NW10 4AB, and sought permission for the supply of alcohol and to remain open from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Application for a New Premises Licence at Craven Park Local

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence by Mr Sathiaseelan Easwarakumar for Craven Park Local, situated at 28 Craven Park Road, NW10 4AB. The application, made under the Licensing Act 2003, requested permission for the supply of alcohol and for the premises to be open to the public from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack indicated that this application falls within the Harlesden Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). A CIZ is an area identified by the council where there is evidence that the concentration of licensed premises may be contributing to problems that undermine the licensing objectives. The council's Statement of Licensing Policy states a presumption against granting new licences or variations that increase the scope for alcohol sales in such zones, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the licence will not negatively impact the licensing objectives.

Representations were received from the Licensing Police, Licensing Officers, and Councillor Matt Kelcher, who is the Labour Councillor for Harlesden and Kensal Green Ward and Chair of the Planning Committee.

The Police, represented by PC Phil Graves, opposed the application in full. Their representation highlighted that an almost identical application by Mr Easwarakumar was refused in June 2024. The police noted that the venue is in a designated CIZ, the application is for a standard off-licence, and the applicant's statement that the licence is unlikely to add to cumulative impact is insufficient. They cited high crime figures in the area, including anti-social behaviour, violence, and sexual assaults, which they believe are fuelled by alcohol. The police also pointed out that there is already a significant number of off-licences in the immediate vicinity.

The Licensing Authority, represented by Rhea Vagarwal, Licensing Enforcement Officer, also made a representation against the application. Their concerns were primarily focused on the Cumulative Impact Zone in Harlesden. They noted that Brent Council's Statement of Licensing Policy (2025-2030) identifies Harlesden as a hotspot for alcohol-related crime, anti-social behaviour, and street drinking. The Licensing Authority argued that the proposed business model lacks distinctiveness and that adding another off-licence in an already saturated area would not benefit the wider community and would likely exacerbate existing issues. They recommended that the application be refused.

Councillor Matt Kelcher also formally represented against the application, echoing concerns about the CIZ policy. He stated that the applicant's assertion that the licence would be unlikely to add to cumulative impact does not meet the policy requirement of would not add impact. Councillor Kelcher referenced evidence from the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) and local issues, including street drinking on Craven Park Road being a ward priority, linked to drug dealing and driven by the high availability of alcohol. He argued that increased alcohol availability would undermine efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity, and that street drinking contributes to disorder and an unsafe environment.

The applicant's agent, Nick Semper of The Licensing Guys, responded to the police representation, inquiring if any conditions could address their concerns.

The report pack also included details of the proposed operating schedule for Craven Park Local, which outlined measures for the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. These included provisions for CCTV, an incident log, staff training on responsible alcohol retailing, restrictions on the sale of miniature bottles and certain can sizes, and adherence to a Challenge 25 policy for age verification.

The report pack also contained crime and ASB data for the vicinity of 28 Craven Park Road, showing various crime types and incident numbers over several months in 2025. Additionally, it included a research briefing on alcohol licensing and cumulative impact assessments, explaining the purpose and function of CIAs under the Licensing Act 2003.

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider these representations and the applicant's proposed operating schedule when determining the application. The potential outcomes for the sub-committee included granting the licence, excluding licensable activities, refusing to specify a premises supervisor, or rejecting the application entirely.