The Licensing Committee met to consider the confirmation of the minutes of two previous meetings and an application for a variation to a premises licence for Meta Fried Chicken & Pizza, 640 Downham Way, London BR1 5HN. The minutes of the previous meetings were confirmed and signed. The application for the variation of the licence for Meta Fried Chicken and Pizza was refused on the grounds that it was likely to lead to an increase in crime and disorder and public nuisance.

Meta Fried Chicken & Pizza, 640 Downham Way, London BR1 5HN

An application was made to vary the premises licence for Meta Fried Chicken & Pizza to allow it to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises from 11:00 to 01:30 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 to 02:00 Friday to Saturday. Objections were received from the Police and a local resident on the grounds that the application, if granted, was likely to undermine the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. The applicant and the Police Licensing Officer made submissions to the Sub-Committee both for and against the application.

The Police Licensing Officer stated that they could not support the application in its current form. Their evidence suggested that:

Downham Way is a very busy road and a highly residential area many shops have residential flats above it and surrounded by other residential premises.

They went on to say that the local Safer Neighbourhood Team:

currently have an issue with anti-social behaviour in Grove Park and part of this is coming from street drinkers. They are hanging around the local shops and train station drinking, begging and causing anti-social behaviour in general.

A local resident also objected to the application stating that:

The area has always had its problems and issues with crime and public safety.

In their response the applicant argued that they had taken steps to mitigate against the risk of crime and disorder and public nuisance. They argued that:

It is a fried chicken shop offering fried chicken, fast food, pizza and grilled chicken. It is a well decorated and well furnished shop. We want to sell alcohol as well in our shop.

And that:

We have good storages for off supplies and sufficient loading and unloading places.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered all of the evidence and submissions and decided to refuse the application. They concluded that:

The applicant has failed to take into account and address the negative impact the sale of alcohol over fifteen hours will have on the licensing objectives.

They noted that:

Although the area has a lot of business premises there are residential premises above the shops and are surrounded by residential premises.

The Licensing Sub-Committee determined that:

Allowing this shop to sell alcohol will only increase the amount of reported incidents caused by unruly drunkenness and force residents to remain in their properties.