The Licensing Sub Committee B of Islington Council met on Tuesday 02 June 2026 to consider a new premises licence application. The primary item for discussion was an application for Archway Local, located at 758 Holloway Road, London, N19 3JF.

New Premises Licence Application: Archway Local, 758 Holloway Road, London, N19 3JF

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Archway Local, situated at 758 Holloway Road, London, N19 3JF. The application sought permission for the retail sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises, with proposed operating hours from 08:00 to 23:00 daily.

The report pack indicated that the premises is located within the Archway Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), a designated zone in Islington where there is a high concentration of licensed premises and a documented increase in alcohol-related crime, disorder, and public nuisance. This designation means there is a presumption of refusal for new or varied licence applications unless the applicant can demonstrate that granting the licence will not add to existing problems.

A significant number of objections were received from local residents and the Better Archway Forum. Residents raised concerns about the existing saturation of alcohol-related businesses in the area, including supermarkets and other off-licences, and the associated issues of anti-social behaviour, noise, litter, and potential increases in crime and disorder. Specific concerns were highlighted regarding public nuisance, with residents reporting issues such as public urination, vomiting, shouting customers late at night, and loitering.

Concerns were also raised about the environmental impact, including increased litter and air pollution from delivery vehicles, and potential light pollution from extended shop hours and signage. Public safety was another key concern, with potential hazards from intoxicated groups gathering outside the premises and increased traffic from deliveries impacting pedestrians and ambulance access to the nearby Whittington Hospital.

Furthermore, residents expressed worries about the protection of children from harm, citing potential exposure to adult language, intoxication, and anti-social behaviour, particularly given the premises' proximity to transport hubs serving multiple schools. The Better Archway Forum noted that while on-licences were not generally considered a problem unless operating late, there were serious concerns about the impact of off-licences in an already saturated area. They suggested that any new outlet would likely attract problematic customers, further increasing crime and disorder.

The applicant, Din Dyal, proposed operating hours from 08:00 to 23:00 for the sale of alcohol. The application also detailed plans for the provision of plays, films, live music, recorded music, and performances of dance. The operating schedule included measures to promote the four licensing objectives, such as the implementation of a 'Challenge 25' policy, CCTV installation, staff training in responsible alcohol retailing, and an incident log. Specific conditions were proposed regarding the sale of alcohol, including no sales in open containers, no purchase of alcohol from individuals, and restrictions on the sale of high-strength beer, lager, or cider.

The report pack also included a proposed licence plan detailing the layout of the premises and the location of CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, and fire exit signs.

The committee was also scheduled to consider the minutes of the previous meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee B held on 24 March 2026.