This meeting was about making decisions on applications for new and modified licences for the sale of alcohol in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The Sub-Committee were scheduled to consider an application for a new licence to sell alcohol at the Charlton Post Office and Convenience Store at 10-12 Charlton Church Lane in Charlton. The meeting was also scheduled to consider an application to vary the existing licence at the Shell Shooters Hill petrol station to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

Charlton Post Office and Convenience Store - Grant of a new Premises Licence

A new off-licence¹ was requested for Charlton Post Office and Convenience Store. The applicant, Charlton Traders Limited, submitted an operating schedule proposing that alcohol be sold from 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 20:00 on Sundays.

Fourteen local residents, the Metropolitan Police and a local Councillor all objected to the application, raising concerns about all four of the licensing objectives, namely:

• The Prevention of Crime & Disorder
• The Prevention of Public Nuisance
• Public Safety
• The Protection of Children from Harm

The residents' objections and contact details were not made public, although excerpts from a previous Licensing Sub-Committee hearing report pack were published which indicate some of the concerns that residents had raised regarding a previous application for a licence to sell alcohol at this address. The licensing officer's report for that application describes how residents had raised concerns about the existing noise problems caused by the barber's shop next door, and the behaviour of customers leaving the parade of shops opposite the premises, describing it as an out of hours destination. They also complained about motorcycles speeding off from the petrol station, the large numbers of school children who pass the premises on their way to and from the nearby Blackheath Academy Secondary School, and the antisocial behaviour in the area, which they said was fuelled by alcohol and drugs, and included drug dealing, people sleeping in doorways and public urination.

The Metropolitan Police also objected to the application, stating that:

The Metropolitan Police would like to make representation concerning the application 19522 for Charlton Post Office and Convenience Store, 10-12 Charlton Church Lane, Charlton, SE7 7AF submitted by Charlton Traders Ltd, predominantly on the grounds of Crime and Disorder and the Protection of Children from Harm.

They also expressed concern about the potential for a previously associated worker at the premises being employed or working at the premises again. The Police report describes how this worker was present when there was the sale of an age-restricted product/s to an under 18 year old. To mitigate these concerns the Police requested a condition on the licence preventing the person in question, Mr Akmal Hussain, as an individual, nor any company with which he is associated either now or in the future, [from being] involved in the running of the premises in any capacity whatsoever, directly or indirectly.

Councillor Jo van den Broek objected to the application on the grounds of The Prevention of Crime & Disorder and The Protection of Children From Harm.

Shell Shooters Hill - Variation of an existing Premises Licence

Shell UK Oil Products Limited requested a variation of the licence at its Shell Shooters Hill petrol station in Shooters Hill. The variation would allow the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The current licence only permits the sale of hot drinks between the hours of 23:00 and 05:00.

Seven residents objected to the variation, raising concerns about all four of the licensing objectives. They were particularly concerned about the effect the licence would have on levels of noise and antisocial behaviour. The residents' objections and contact details were not made public, but the licensing officer report suggests that they were concerned about:

• Existing problems with noise from vehicles at the garage, especially motorbikes revving their engines.
• The existing problems with antisocial behaviour at the nearby Sun in the Sands Roundabout, which residents said was fueled by alcohol.
• The possibility that, if the variation was granted, the garage would become an out-of-hours destination for people to purchase alcohol after the pubs and off-licences had closed.
• The fact that the garage is adjacent to a residential area.

None of the Responsible Authorities objected to the variation.