The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider applications for new premises licences and a review of an existing premises licence. The meeting was to address potential issues related to the sale of alcohol, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Putney Polish Delicatessen, 379 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 5QJ

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Putney Polish Delicatessen, located at 379 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 5QJ. The application proposed the retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 08:00 and 20:00, seven days a week.

The report pack indicated that representations had been received from the Metropolitan Police and Trading Standards. The Police had initially raised concerns regarding the prevention of crime and disorder, requesting conditions such as no sale of single beers, lagers, or ciders above 6% ABV, and specific requirements for alcohol deliveries. Trading Standards had raised concerns about the protection of children from harm, requesting conditions related to age verification checks and staff training. The report noted that the applicant had amended their operating schedule to incorporate these conditions, leading to the withdrawal of representations from both the Police and Trading Standards.

However, one representation from a local resident, Edyta Stenner, was still outstanding. This representation raised concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm. Specific issues mentioned included increased loitering outside the premises, accumulation of rubbish, potential for increased deliveries and waste, and concerns about access for children to adjacent residential properties. Ms. Stenner highlighted that her flat was directly above the premises and that groups of men frequently gathered outside her front door, causing intimidation and making her children feel unsafe. She also noted existing issues with litter and delivery waste, and expressed concern that alcohol sales would exacerbate these problems. The representation also referenced previous incidents of aggressive behaviour from customers of a neighbouring premises, Ladbrokes, contributing to concerns about cumulative impacts on crime and disorder.

The report indicated that the Sub-Committee would need to consider the application in light of the Licensing Act 2003, the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Statutory Guidance. The possible steps available to the Sub-Committee included granting the application as requested, modifying the conditions of the licence, or rejecting the application.

Enoteca Chiaia, 178 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4ED

The committee was scheduled to consider a review of the premises licence for Enoteca Chiaia, located at 178 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4ED. The review application had been submitted by Mr. Jean-Pierre Dos Santos, a local resident, on the grounds that the current conditions on the licence had failed to uphold the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance.

Mr. Dos Santos's representation, submitted via his solicitor Sarah Taylor, detailed concerns about the failure of the Premises Licence Holder, Enoteca Chiaia Limited, and the Designated Premises Supervisor, Valentino Di Geronimo, to promote the licensing objectives. The grounds for review specifically cited the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. The representation stated that since the premises opened in 2024, the licence holder had allegedly breached licence conditions, traded beyond permitted hours, and shown disregard for the licensing objectives and Mr. Dos Santos as a neighbour.

The report highlighted that the premises licence was granted on 4th June 2024, and no application to vary the licence or change the Designated Premises Supervisor had been submitted since. The representation from Mr. Dos Santos detailed numerous alleged breaches of licence conditions, including:

• Vertical drinking: The condition There shall be no vertical drinking allowed at the premises was allegedly breached.
• Alcohol served only to seated customers: The condition All alcohol shall be served by waiter/tress only to seated customers was allegedly breached, with video evidence showing customers standing and being served.
• Noise and vibration: The condition The licensee shall ensure that no noise shall emanate from the premises nor vibration be transmitted through the structure of the premises, which gives rise to a nuisance was allegedly breached, supported by video evidence and a noise report from Big Sky Acoustics.
• Waste collection: The condition No collections of waste or recycling materials (including bottles) from the premises shall take place between 21.00 and 08.00 on the following day was allegedly breached.
• Fumes, steam or odours: The condition No fumes, steam or odours shall be emitted from the licensed premises to cause a nuisance to any persons living or carrying on business in the area where the premises are situated was allegedly breached, with smokers outside making it difficult for Mr. Dos Santos to open his windows.
• Open containers: The condition Customers shall not be permitted to leave the premises with drinks of any kind in open containers was allegedly breached.
• Smoking outside: The condition No more than Four (4) persons shall be permitted to smoke outside the front of the premises at any one time... was allegedly breached, with evidence of more than four people smoking and congregating outside.
• Notices for quiet use: The condition Notices shall be displayed in the area specifying these terms and asking patrons to use the area quietly... was allegedly breached, with the external area not being managed to minimise disturbance.

The applicant, Mr. Dos Santos, had also attempted to engage with the Premises Licence Holder, Valentino Di Geronimo, on various occasions, but alleged that the breaches were flagrant and the licence holder had been aggressive towards him. The applicant requested that the Licensing Sub-Committee revoke the premises licence due to the extensive evidence of breaches and the impact on his ability to live peacefully in his property.

The report from the Environmental Services Officer (Noise & Complaints) supported the review application, citing multiple complaints concerning noise affecting Mr. Dos Santos. The officer noted that while the case had not met the threshold for serving a noise abatement notice, concerns over sound insulation and the failure to formally investigate this with an acoustic assessment were significant. The officer concluded that the continued failure to conduct a sufficient acoustic assessment, despite encouragement and assistance, supported the review of the licence.

The Sub-Committee had the power to take various steps, including issuing a warning, modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the Designated Premises Supervisor, suspending the licence, or revoking the licence.