The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 4th February 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on the procedure for licensing sub-committee hearings and a new premises licence application for S&M Local Off Licence.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure

The committee will review the procedure for licensing sub-committee hearings, as outlined in the document LBBLicensingSubCommitteeHearingsProcedure_.pdf. This procedure is based on regulations made under the Licensing Act 2003 and is designed to ensure natural justice and a fair hearing. It details the roles of the Governance Officer and the Chair, the process for presenting cases, and how decisions are made and announced.

New Premises Licence Application for S&M Local Off Licence

A significant item on the agenda is the consideration of a new premises licence application for S&M Local Off Licence, located at 22 High Street, Barnet EN5 5RU. The application, submitted by ESI Licensing and Legal Consultancy on behalf of applicant Mohammed Khidir Ali, seeks permission for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. The proposed hours for the sale of alcohol are Monday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 23:00, with the premises itself open to the public from 07:00 to 23:00 daily.

The report indicates that a valid representation has been received from the Barnet Residents Association, which objects to the granting of the licence. This objection is specifically related to the licensing objective of the protection of children from harm, citing the proximity of QE Girls School. The association has requested that alcohol sales be restricted until after 6 pm on weekdays. No objections were received from other responsible authorities, including the Police, who reportedly stated they were satisfied with the requested hours and the conditions proposed in the operating schedule.

The Licensing Sub-Committee will need to consider the application, the representation received, the Guidance issued pursuant to section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003¹, and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2020² when making its decision. The committee has the power to grant the licence with conditions, modify conditions, exclude licensable activities, refuse to specify a premises supervisor, or reject the application entirely.