Decision Maker: Licensing Panel

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 17, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Notification of decision following a Licensing Panel hearing to determine an application for a temporary street trading licence pursuant to the London Local Authorities Act 1990, as amended   SITE:            To be positioned on the Hounslow High Street, between the telephone kiosk and the advertising hoarding (opposite Red Lion Court) (the “Site”)   TO:               Mr Remy Estfanous(“the Applicant”)   TAKE NOTICE THAT following a hearing before the Licensing and General Purposes Sub-Committee (“the Licensing Panel” or “Panel”)   ON 17th September 2025 the London Borough of Hounslow, as the relevant Licensing Authority   RESOLVED as follows:   1.     The Licensing Panel convened in person to determine an application for the grant of a temporary street trading licence made pursuant to section 31 of the London Local Authorities Act 1990, as amended (the “Act”).   2.     The application, which was shown at page 9 of the Agenda pack, sought to license the Site measuring 2 metres in depth and 3 metres in width, and located in the area described as the Site, from which the Applicant intended to sell food and soft drinks. The Applicant proposed that the Site operated from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 hours to 20:00 hours and on Sunday between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours. A plan of the Site was contained within the application at page 13 of the Agenda pack.   3.     The hearing was in person.  The Panel consisted of three members.  All members of the Licensing Panel were in attendance throughout the hearing, and during deliberations, which took place separately in a closed session.   4.     During the consultation process, the Licensing Authority received 2 representations objecting to the application.  One from a Community Enforcement and Regulatory Officer and the other from a Ward Councillor for Hounslow Central. Both objectors took issue with the impact a gazebo would have on pedestrians on an already overpopulated part of the High Street. The issue was compounded by the number of restaurants and the delivery bikes that serviced them and travelled at high speed. The Applicant addressed the objectors by email in advance of the Panel and in their submissions to the Panel. The objection from the Ward Councillor was shown in Appendix C, and the objections from the Community Enforcement and Regulatory Officer were shown in Appendix D.    5.     The Licensing Panel carefully considered all the relevant information including:   -         Written and oral representations submitted by all the parties -         Oral representations made by the parties during the licensing Panel hearing -         The London Local Authorities Act 1990 as amended (“the Act”) -         Hounslow Council’s Street Trading Policy (“the Policy”) -         The Human Rights Act 1998   6.     At the hearing, the Applicant represented himself and was assisted by a friend, Mr Bassem Mohamed, who assisted with translation at times. Both objectors were present and made submissions.   7.     The Panel was informed that the Applicant was seeking this licence to sell hot food, salads, and soft drinks. The Applicant explained that the stall would not cause a disturbance to the flow of pedestrian movement. In advance of the hearing, the Applicant submitted video footage with the perimeter of the proposed stand marked out. The Applicant relied on this to show that pedestrians would not be affected by a gazebo placed at the Site. The Applicant’s oral submissions were limited, instead he sought to rely on the application and the other correspondence in the Agenda pack, in which he responded to the concerns raised by the objectors.   8.     The Panel heard that the stand would not be a permanent fixture but would be erected and taken down each day. The Applicant stated that he intended to park a van at the nearest permitted parking bay and carry the gazebo, equipment, and supplies to the Site. This would include a gas supply for cooking food, a battery for the fridge, a water container, and the gazebo itself. The gazebo was made of fire-rated material and had protection for the gas supply in the event of impact.   9.     In relation to concerns about waste disposal, the Applicant confirmed that they would obtain a contract which would provide for daily collections of waste from the Site. Additionally, the Applicant would have bins to collect waste and water for cleaning.   10.Both objectors had similar concerns that the High Street was already crowded and the Applicant’s gazebo would add to the congestion. In addition, the objectors raised a public safety issue regarding the delivery bikes, which congregated close to the site. The panel heard that the site was located close to a junction and in an area where there were a number of other restaurants. The delivery bikes entered the pedestrianised area at high speed. The Applicant commented that the conduct of the bikes existed without the gazebo in place. However, the Panel heard that the addition of a gazebo at the Site would block sight lines and may increase the probability of collisions between bikes and pedestrians. The objectors were particularly concerned about the impact of limited sight lines on elderly pedestrians and parents with young children.   11.When asked about the Applicant’s plan to manage the queue of customers, the Panel heard that the queue would be oriented towards Sam Pound Store. It was noted that this would encroach on the clearance between the Site and the limit of the street. Additionally, the Applicant did not envisage a long queue, as the food would be served quickly. If there was a lengthy queue, the Applicant would consider additional staff to ensure customers are served quickly and long queues were eliminated.   12.The Applicant was asked about the map that was submitted with the Application. The plan was required to show all street furniture in the vicinity of the site and provide measurements between the site and all installations. The Panel heard that the map did not include all the street furniture in the area, nor did it include the existing outdoor seating outside the existing restaurants in the immediate area. Further, the Ward Councillor submitted that the gazebo would cause an interference with the amenities in the area, in particular the benches which had been requested by residents who wish to enjoy the street scene.   DECISION:   13.The Act provides the Council with a measure of discretion when deciding whether to issue a temporary street trading licence and the Council’s Street Trading Policy provides for all applications to consider various issues as set out therein, which include consideration of public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, the appearance and suitability of the stall/vehicle and environmental credentials. The Policy also requires applications to consider the needs of the area, this being the demand for the articles for sale and the geographical location of the proposed Site.   14.The Panel had consideration of the other similar businesses in the area. Paragraph 4.5 of the Policy states that applications for a new pitch will be assessed based on a number of factors, including that the goods to be sold must not replicate those of neighbouring stalls or shops within 200 metres. In this case, the Panel notes that there are already a number of restaurants serving takeaway and dine-in food. The Panel considered there was no need for another stall selling food.   15.The Panel also considered that the plan provided was inadequate as it did not meet the requirements of the Policy. The requirements are set out at paragraph 4.19 of the Policy, which states that the plan must “include the location of any obstacles such as bus stops, street furniture, etc, and all streets and public areas within a radius of 200 metres from the proposed location”. The plan failed to include all the street furniture in the area.   16.The Panel relied on the submissions by the Ward Councillor and Community Enforcement and Regulatory Officer, who have extensive local knowledge. The Panel was aware that the section of the High Street where the proposed Site would be located was especially overcrowded compared to other parts of the High Street, being close to a busy junction, bus stop, and popular restaurants. The installation of a gazebo in this part of the High Street would have a considerable impact on public safety by reducing sight lines in an area with delivery bikes and high footfall. The Panel was also concerned that there was no consideration or acceptance of the impact that a queue would have on the movement along the High Street.   17.Having considered all the representations and all relevant material, the Panel has therefore decided to REFUSE the application for a temporary street trading licence for the Site.   There is no right of appeal by any party in relation to the determination in respect of a temporary street trading application. The decision of the Panel is therefore final.