The Hounslow Council Licensing Panel met to discuss a new premises licence for Hounslow Local Store and a variation of an existing premises licence for The Cross Lances. The panel approved the recommendations for Hounslow Local Store, granting the premises licence with specific conditions, and Councillor Gabriella Giles was appointed as chair for the meeting.

Hounslow Local Store, Unit 3, 44-52 High Street, Hounslow, TW3 1NW

The panel approved the application for a new premises licence for Hounslow Local Store, subject to specific conditions. The store, located at Unit 3, 44-52 High Street, Hounslow, TW3 1NW, is seeking permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises.

Details of the decision:

• Licence Granted: The store is permitted to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises:

  • Monday to Saturday: 11:00 to 22:30
  • Sundays: 11:00 to 22:00

• Opening Hours: The permitted opening hours for the premises are:

  • Monday to Sunday: 08:00 to 23:00

• Conditions: The licence is subject to several conditions, including:

  • CCTV installation and maintenance as per Hounslow Police Licensing Team requirements.
  • A staff member conversant with the CCTV system must be present at all times.
  • Signage informing customers they are being recorded on CCTV.
  • Restrictions on the sale of beer, lager, or cider with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 6% or greater, excluding specialist products.
  • No sales of single cans of beer, lager, or cider.
  • No sales of spirits under 5cl/50ml (miniatures).
  • No alcohol consumption is permitted inside the premises.
  • An incident log must be maintained and made available to authorised officers or the police.
  • Verification of staff's UK right to work status.
  • Goods, including alcohol and tobacco, must be sourced from cash and carry outlets with invoices available upon request. All alcohol must be purchased from AWRS-registered cash and carry or wholesalers.
  • Display notices asking customers to leave quietly and staff must verbally request the same.
  • A strict policy to prevent serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals.
  • Implementation of a Challenge 25 policy¹ with appropriate signage.
  • Acceptable forms of ID include photographic identification documents such as passports, photo-card driving licences, or proof of age cards bearing the PASS hologram².
  • A refusal book must be maintained and made available for inspection.
  • Staff training in responsible alcohol retailing.

Background:

The Licensing Officer reported that the application was correctly made, statutory procedures were followed, and consultations were carried out in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003. The premises are located in an area with mixed commercial and residential properties, within the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) area for Hounslow and North West Isleworth, Heston and Cranford.

Two representations were received from councillors concerned about crime and disorder, public nuisance, and antisocial behaviour. The Licensing Sub-Committee was reminded that because the premises falls in the cumulative impact area they must apply the special policy which takes the form of a presumption that applications for new premises licenses will be refused if relevant representations are received unless the applicant can address the issues raised in the special policy in their operating schedule and demonstrate that the operation of the premises will not add to the cumulative impact.

The applicant's representative stated that the applicant has over 17 years of experience in the off-licence sector and has held a personal licence since 2013. They highlighted the applicant's commitment to upholding the licensing objectives and familiarity with the area, as well as the absence of police objections. The representative detailed measures to prevent crime and disorder, including staff training, a refusal book, an incident book, the Challenge 25 approach, and CCTV.

The Sub-Committee considered the applicant’s proposed conditions, which include conditions to make the Premises less attractive to street drinkers and address the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

Councillors Ajmer Grewal and Rasheed Bhatti objected to the application, citing concerns about alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in the High Street. Councillor Ajmer Grewal stated:

As ward Councillor I do object to having another convenience store / off licence in the High street. There is so much Alcohol related ASB in the High Street already, this will not help the situation any. Residents need a variety of businesses in the High Street,

Not more off licences, the area is turning into the most notorious street drinking location in Hounslow with Residents becoming fearful and unsafe walking in the High street.

The Cross Lances, 236 Hanworth Road, Hounslow, TW3 3TU

The panel discussed an application for the variation of a premises licence in respect of The Cross Lances, located at 236 Hanworth Road, Hounslow, TW3 3TU. No decision was made on this application.

Sehajpal Properties Limited, the applicant, is proposing to extend the hours of licensable activities and the hours the premises are open to the public.

The proposed changes include:

• Supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises:

  • Sunday to Wednesday: 10:00 to 00:30
  • Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 to 01:00

• Live Music (indoors) & Recorded Music (indoors):

  • Sunday to Wednesday: 10:00 to 00:30
  • Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 to 01:00

• Late Night Refreshment (indoors):

  • Sunday to Wednesday: 23:00 to 00:30
  • Thursday to Saturday: 23:00 to 01:00

• Hours premises are open to the public:

  • Sunday to Wednesday: 10:00 to 00:30
  • Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 to 01:00

The premises are currently licensed for the following activities and hours:

• Supply of alcohol on and off the premises:

  • Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:00
  • Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 23:30
  • Sunday: 11:00 to 22:00

• Late night refreshment:

  • Friday and Saturday: 23:00 to 23:30

• Indoor sporting events:

  • Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:00
  • Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 23:30
  • Sunday: 11:00 to 22:00
  • On Christmas Eve (24 December), until 01:00
  • On New Year's Eve (31 December), for 24 hours

• Playing recorded music & Live music are not time-restricted

• Hours premises are open to the public: The premises can stay open for a further 30 minutes after the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol on each day.

The premises are situated in an area of mainly residential properties and some commercial properties, and are located within the cumulative impact policy area for Hounslow and North West Isleworth, Heston and Cranford.

The applicant has proposed measures to promote the four licensing objectives:

• Prevention of crime and disorder: CCTV recordings kept for a minimum of 28 days, incident and refusals log maintained, and adequate lighting at the entrance/exit.
• Public safety: Fire safety equipment regularly checked, emergency exits kept clear, and a first aid kit available with trained staff.
• Prevention of public nuisance: No outdoor music or external speakers, doors and windows kept closed after 23:00 (except for access/egress), and notices displayed asking customers to leave quietly.
• Protection of children from harm: Challenge 25 policy in operation, staff trained to refuse underage proxy sales, children not permitted in the restaurant area only when accompanied by an adult, children not permitted in the bar area after 21:00, and no adult entertainment or restricted films.

One representation was received from other persons concerned that the granting of the variation application could cause antisocial behaviour and public nuisance with noise disturbance from patrons leaving the premises.

The police did not make a representation but agreed with the applicant to reduced hours and conditions.

PC Mark Johnstone of the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team proposed the following operating hours:

• Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 10:00 to 00:00
• Supply of Alcohol: Mon to Sun 10:00 to 23:30
• Late Night Refreshment: Mon to Sun 23:00 to 00:00
• Live/Recorded Music: Mon to Sun 23:00 to 00:00

PC Johnstone also proposed additional conditions, including:

• All staff responsible for selling alcohol shall receive regular training in the Licensing Act 2003.
• A CCTV system is in operation for the warehouse, to provide security and identify any culprit who is intent in causing trouble.
• A staff member from the premises who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be on the premises at all times when the premises are open.
• A record shall be kept on the premises of all refused sales of alcohol.
• The DPS will be responsible for risk assessing all events and on goings within the premises, and it will be down to the DPS to deploy security staff (SIA approved) as per their assessment.
• No person shall be allowed to leave the premises whilst in the possession of any open drinking vessel, purchased from the premises.
• The correct time and date will be generated onto both the recording and the real time image screen.
• A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme shall operate at the premises.
• No alcohol shall be supplied if the CCTV equipment is inoperative for any reason.

A local resident objected to the extension of licensing hours, citing concerns about the impact on residents' right to rest and the health of children. The resident stated:

The extended hours they have requested will mean residents in a very built-up area of flats and houses will not be able to get a break from the noise. And, it is proposed that it will run into the early hours seven days a week. In addition, there will be noise and disturbance when the people leave the pub, noise from the cars leaving the car park (with the security light going off all of the time) and the extended use of the beer garden which is adjacent to our bedroom windows.

Appointment of Chair

Councillor Gabriella Giles was appointed Chair of the Licensing Panel.