The Licensing Sub-Committee approved an application for the grant of a premises licence to sell alcohol off the premises at Premier, 23 Station Road, Chingford. The application was approved after the applicant agreed to amend the hours during which alcohol could be sold in response to representations made by local Councillors and residents.

Premier, 23 Station Road, Chingford, E4 7BJ - Grant of Premises Licence

An application for the grant of a new premises licence for Premier, 23 Station Road, Chingford was considered by the Sub-Committee. The applicant, Mr Muhammad Nadeem Naz, initially sought permission to sell alcohol off the premises from 5am to midnight, seven days a week. This was reduced to 7am to 11pm in response to representations made by local Councillors and residents.

Two representations were received from other people during the consultation period. Both raised concerns about the risk of the application undermining the licensing objectives of the prevention of public nuisance, the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children from harm. The Metropolitan Police also made representations and proposed a series of conditions that the applicant agreed to.

Councillor Mitchell Goldie, the Conservative Councillor for North Chingford, submitted a representation objecting to the application on behalf of himself and his ward colleagues, Councillor Kay Isa and Councillor Sazimet Palta-Imre. In their representation, the Councillors argued that the application would be likely to lead to increased anti-social behaviour, particular as a result of street drinking on the green outside Pear Tree House. They also argued that granting the application would risk public safety as a result of increased footfall in the area at unsociable hours by people under the influence of alcohol. Finally, they argued that the application, if granted, would risk undermining efforts to protect children from harm. They cited the proximity of the shop to Chingford Church of England Junior School and St. Mary's Catholic Primary School as a particular concern.

Station Road has seen a steady increase in anti-social behaviour in recent years, with residents from Pear Tree House regularly engaging in street drinking on the green. Allowing the sale of alcohol from as early as 5 AM is likely to further encourage this behaviour, exacerbating the existing issues and leading to increased crime and disorder in the area.

The Councillors were also critical of that applicant's initial failure to demonstrate how he would promote the licensing objectives. They described the lack of detail in the application about steps to be taken to avoid crime and disorder, public nuisance, and harm to children as deeply troubling. Finally, the Councillors argued that granting the application would set a dangerous precedent and lead to other similar applications being made and approved, potentially resulting in a significant increase in the availability of alcohol in the area.

Currently, no premises in this area hold a licence for the sale of alcohol at such early hours. Granting this licence would set a dangerous precedent, potentially opening the door for further applications seeking similar provisions.

The other representation was submitted by Mr David Smith, a resident of 1 Woodland Road, Chingford. Mr Smith argued that the initial application, if approved, would risk undermining the Council's stated policies of reducing harm and tackling crime, anti-social behaviour, and substance misuse. He also argued that there was no need for a shop to sell alcohol from 5am.

The sale of alcohol from 5am to midnight goes against all good health policy and will only serve to cause more issues with alcohol misuse. No one other than problem and anti-social drinkers need to be purchasing alcohol at 5am

In response to the representations made by the Metropolitan Police, the applicant agreed to a series of conditions on the licence, including the installation and 24 hour operation of CCTV, and the introduction of a 'Challenge 25' scheme.

After receiving the representations from the Councillors and Mr Smith, a licensing officer contacted all parties to seek agreement on revised hours of operation. Mr Smith stated that he would withdraw his representation if the applicant agreed to amend the end time for alcohol sales to 11pm. The local Councillors stated that they would withdraw their representation if the applicant agreed to amend the start and end times for alcohol sales to 7am and 11pm.

In response to this, Mr Naz's agent stated that the applicant would agree to amend the start and end times for the sale of alcohol to 7am and 11pm.

I can confirm that I have taken instructions from the applicant and he will agree to amend the application for the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol to 07.00 to 23.00 daily provided that the representations are withdrawn and the application is granted without a hearing.

At the meeting, Mr Naz stated that he had spoken to residents who lived near the shop and believed that he had managed to allay their concerns about his application.

He had also spoken to neighbours/residents who had approached him regarding the application and managed to alleviate their concerns. He believes there are no further steps he can take to address their concerns.

After hearing from all parties, the Sub-Committee decided to grant the application in full, including the amended hours of operation for the sale of alcohol. They stated that they had taken into account the representations made by local people and were satisfied that the applicant would operate the licence responsibly and in accordance with the licensing objectives. They placed particular emphasis on the fact that the applicant had worked with the police and agreed to all of the conditions that had been suggested.