The Licensing Sub-Committee of Merton Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for VJ's Off Licence, located at 256 London Road, CR4 3HD. The meeting's agenda focused solely on this application, with no other items scheduled for discussion.

VJ's Off Licence Application

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the application for a new premises licence for VJ's Off Licence, located at 256 London Road, CR4 3HD. The premises is described as a shop selling stationery, mobile repairs, and household goods, with the applicant proposing to sell alcohol for off-site consumption. The proposed hours for alcohol sales were from 09:00 to 22:30, Monday to Sunday.

The application was to be considered in light of Merton's Statement of Licensing Policy, particularly section 10 concerning Special Policy Areas. The premises falls within the Mitcham Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), an area identified as experiencing significant issues related to alcohol-related crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour.

The report pack indicated that the Metropolitan Police Service had submitted a representation objecting to the application, citing concerns across all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The police's objection highlighted the ongoing problems of street drinking, littering, public urination, and general nuisance in Mitcham Town Centre, which they believe would be exacerbated by granting another off-sales alcohol licence in this sensitive location.

The applicant, Mr Vijaykumar Patel, had engaged in correspondence with the police prior to the meeting, proposing various measures to mitigate concerns. These included a commitment to a specialist business model focusing on premium food products and curated wines, rather than stocking high-strength or cheap alcohol products typically associated with street drinking. Mr Patel also offered to formalise conditions such as ABV restrictions, no sales of single units or miniatures, strict Challenge 25 protocols, and CCTV with 31-day retention. He also indicated a willingness to discuss reduced opening hours and had formally joined the London Mayor's Women's Night Safety Charter.

The report pack also detailed a comprehensive list of 28 conditions that the applicant had volunteered to include in the operating schedule, covering all four licensing objectives. These conditions included measures such as:

• Displaying prominent signage regarding operating hours and no street drinking .
• Not stocking or selling super-strength beers, lagers, or ciders above 7.5% ABV.
• Displaying spirits and other high-risk alcohol products behind the counter or in locked cabinets.
• Not selling alcohol in sealed containers smaller than 200ml, except for miniatures kept behind the counter.
• Implementing a Challenge 25 age verification policy and maintaining an alcohol sales refusal register.
• Ensuring staff training on alcohol sales, drunkenness, and refusal procedures.
• Maintaining a comprehensive digital CCTV system and an incident log.
• Ensuring clear means of escape, adequate lighting, and prompt cleaning of spillages.
• Displaying a prominent telephone number for local residents to report noise nuisance or anti-social behaviour.
• Restricting deliveries and waste collections between 23:00 and 07:00.
• Displaying signage encouraging customers to leave quietly and not to loiter outside the premises.

The report pack also included a witness statement from Police Sergeant Matt Bower, who detailed the significant ongoing issues with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in Mitcham Town Centre, including the daily reports of street drinkers and associated disturbances. Sergeant Bower stated his professional opinion that granting the licence would contribute to further disorder and hinder the progress made by the police in addressing community issues. He noted the proximity of the proposed premises to a rehabilitation facility and a food bank, which are regularly attended by vulnerable members of the community.

The applicant, Mr Patel, had also submitted a letter responding to the police representations, reiterating his commitment to working collaboratively and proposing a repositioning of the business as a boutique artisanal deli to further distinguish it from conventional off-licences and address the core concerns of the CIZ.

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider the application, the representations made by the Metropolitan Police, and the applicant's proposed conditions and business model. The procedure for the hearing, as outlined in the agenda, included presentations from the applicant and responsible authorities, followed by questioning and closing statements before the Sub-Committee would retire to make a decision.