Purpose

Application by Mr Sayed Sajad Ali,Director for
Tastie Buds Limited, Cheat Meals, 24 Market Street, Watford, WD18
0PD

Decision

Licensing Authority
for Watford
Licensing Act 2003
Licensing Act 2003
(Hearings)
Regulations 2005
 
Notice of
Determination
 
 
Application Ref No:
25/00773/PRE
 
 
Date of hearing: 12
September 2025
 
Committee members:
[Chair]:      
Councillor Wenham

Councillor Grimston

Councillor Burgalio
 

Officers:                           
Kevin Chin - Licensing and Compliance Manager

Kerry Musgrave - Lawyer

Kerri Marks - Strategic Project Manager

Laura MacMillan - Democratic Service Officer

 
 
1. This was an
application for a new premises licence in respect of: Cheat Meals,
24 Market Street, Watford
 
2. The Sub-Committee
heard oral evidence from the following witnesses:
 

1.   
John Cooley, Interested Party

2.   
Amanda Conlin, Interested Party

3.   
Mr Sayed Sajad Ali, Applicant

4.   
Mr Mustafa, Applicant

5.   
Mr Mojib, Applicant
 
3. The following
persons were also present but took no part in the Hearing:
 
1.
None
 
4. The Committee also
took into account the representations
from the following in their absence:
 

1.   
Dave Lynch, Interested Party

2.   
Ameera Down, Interested Party

3.   
Judy Gilbert, Interested Party

4.   
Ruth Cohen, Interested Party

5.   
Laurence Cohen, Interested Party

6.   
Lynette Rowe, Interested Party

7.   
Cllr Aga Dychton, Interested Party

8.   
Thusara Ashen, Interested Party
 
5. The following
representation was withdrawn prior to the Hearing:
 
1.
None
 
6. The Committee
took into account the provisions of the
Licensing Act 2003 and the Section 182 Guidance of the Licensing
Act 2023.
 
Reasons:      These were the relevant sections
of the Act for this application.
 
7. The Committee
took into account the following
provisions of the Secretary of State's guidance under section 182
of the Act:
 
Paragraphs: Paragraphs
2.15 - 2.21

Paragraphs 2.24 & 2.25
Paragraph
2.26

Paragraphs 8.41- 8.49

Paragraphs 9.31- 9.41

Paragraphs 9.42 - 9.44

Chapter
10
Paragraph 14.19
 

Reasons:      These
were the relevant paragraphs of the Secretary of State's guidance
for this application .
 
8. The Committee
took into account the following
provisions of its statement of licensing policy:
 
Paragraphs: Policy LP1
- Premises definitions
Policy
LP2 - Location and operation of premises
Policy
LP6 – Prevention of crime and disorder
Policy
LP8- Prevention of public nuisance
Policy
LPll - Representations against
applications
 

Reasons:      These
were (This was) the relevant policies (policy) of the Licensing
Authority's Statement of Licensing Policy. 2
 
9. The Committee did
not depart from the guidance under section 182 of the Act.
 
10. The Committee did
not make an exception to its statement of licensing policy
 
11. A full report was
made available to the committee members with all submissions from
residents. It was noted that there had been no reports from the
police regarding criminal activity in the area and the proposed
limiting the hours applied for which was agreed by the applicant in
advance of the hearing
 
The Sub-committee read
all the information before them, representations against this
application received from residents opposing the application.
 
 
Evidence
 
The subcommittee heard
evidence from Mr. John Cooley, who stated that he had lived in the
area for 20 years and was directly opposite the premises. he raised
concerns as set out in his perilous emails, about noise, delivery
bikes congregating and blocking the areas around the premises and
mentioned that that were already congregates during the day and
around the wide pavements before the Travelodge.
 
Amanda Conlon, a local
resident gave evidence along similar lines and
also added that there are already problems in the area with
drug dealing, and constant noise disturbance. Late night food will
attract drunk people and further these problems. People will ignore
signs and once they are off the premises there would be no
control.
 
The Applicants
addressed the committee, stating that they had 20 outlets in London
and had never had any enforcement against them, they were submitted
to supporting and working with the local community and offered
contact numbers to the residents. They noted that they had been
working with the Council, police and environmental health to meet
conditions as set out in papers.
 
The bins were retained
in a rear area and only brought out on collection days; there was a
dedicated area behind the premises for delivery drivers to collect
from.
 
Residents reiterated
their concerns about noise, and Ms. Conlon stated that she felt it
was ridiculous and unfair to extend the hours.
 
The applicant
reiterated its cooperation thus far in agreeing conditions, the
measures they will have in place to prevent noise, loitering and
litter and asked the committee to ensure it made the decision on
the facts available to it. It also reminded the committee of its
excellent records in operating at other locations and its
experience gained from those.
 

The sub committee decided to grant the
licence upon the conditions previously agreed by the applicants and
as set out below:

 
 In relation to Public Nuisance:-
 
 With consideration to objections raised about
nuisance from noise and refuse and noting the licencing objectives,
namely the prevention of crime and disorder, and public nuisance
public safety and the prevention of children form harm
 
1. The provision of
late-night refreshment shall not be permitted until an extraction
system is approved by Watford Council is installed and its use is
approved Watford Council.
 
Hours:
The following proposed
extended hours will be permitted
 
2. PREMISES OPENING
HOURS: MONDAY- SATURDAY - 1100-0200
 
3.
SUNDAY-1100-0100
 
4. HOURS OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC: EVERYDAY 1100-0100 with delivery collections only between
0100 and 0200 Delivery collection provisions: 01:00 to 02:00
 
5. Delivery drivers
will be requested to wait inside the shop for order collection,
ensuring a swift handover (food preparation time is limited to five
minutes).
 
6. Delivery vehicles
shall switch off their engines whilst stationary and collecting
orders for delivery.
 
7. Delivery vehicle
horns shall not be used at any time, except in accordance with the
Highway Code.

 
Nuisance from
littering and refuse disposal:
 
8. No rubbish shall be
disposed of in outside receptacles or outside areas between 23.00
to 07.00. 4 /
 
9. No deliveries shall
be made to the premises between 23.00 to 07.00.
 
10. The Premises
Licence holder shall ensure that all windows and doors are closed
at 23.00 hours and remain closed until the business reopens the
following day, except for immediate access or egress.
 
11. Rubbish will not
be deposited outside the premises between 23:00 and 07:00.
 
12. After closing, the
outside area will be cleared of litter and any refuse associated
with the business.
 
13. Noise
reduction:
 
14. In addition to the
disposal of refuse terms set out above,
 
15. Notices shall be
prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect
the needs of local residents and leave
the area quietly.
 
16. Amplified music
shall not be audible beyond the building envelope.
 
17. After 11 pm, the
extractor fan speed will be reduced to further minimise noise.
 
18. No music or
extraneous noise will be played inside the store during licensable
activities. Kitchen cleaning will be outsourced to a company
starting after 7 am to prevent cleaning during operational
hours.
 
19. Party bookings or
birthdays will not be permitted, and no sporting events will be
broadcast to prevent gatherings.
 
20. A dedicated member
of staff will patrol the outside area from 11 pm to ensure
customers 5 do not congregate or cause noise disturbance.
 
In
relation to prevention of crime and disorder
 
21. The premises shall
install and maintain a CCTV system.
 
22. All entry, exit
and point of sale areas will be covered by the cameras, and
 
23. the images shall
enable frontal identification of every person entering in any light
condition .
 
24. The system shall
continually record whilst the premises is open for licensable
activities and during all times when staff and customers remain on
the premises.
 
25. All recordings
shall be stored for a minimum period of 31 days with date and time
stamping.
 
26. Recordings shall
be made available to the Police or an authorised officer of the
Licensing Authority upon request throughout the preceding
31 day period,
 
27. providing that
such requests are in connection with the prevention or detection of
crime.
 
28. A staff member
from the premises who is fully conversant with the operation of the
CCTV system shall be on the premises at all
times when the premises are open to the public. This staff
member shall be able to show the Police or an authorised officer of
the Licensing Authority data or footage upon request. All faults
with the CCTV system shall be repaired as soon as possible and in
any case within three working days after which time, if the system
is still inoperative no licensable activities shall take place
without the agreement of the Watford Police Licensing Unit and the
Licensing Authority until the fault is rectified.
 
29. Children
unaccompanied by an adult over 18 years shall not be permitted
between 22:00 6 and close on any day.
 
Signed [Chair]:
      
Councillor Wenham

Councillor Grimston

Councillor Buraglio