The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for a convenience store. The meeting's agenda focused on a single item: the application for a new premises licence for API AVI Convenience Store.

Application for a New Premises Licence: API AVI Convenience Store

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for API AVI Convenience Store, located at 383 Church Lane, NW9 8JB. The application, submitted by Mr Thamotharampillai Tharmarasa, sought permission to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption between 7 am and 11 pm, seven days a week.

The report pack indicated that this application falls within the Kingsbury Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ)¹. The presumption within such zones is that new licences or variations that increase the scope for alcohol sales will not be granted unless the applicant can demonstrate that the licence will not negatively impact the licensing objectives.

Representations regarding the application were received from the Police, the Licensing Officer, a Ward Councillor, and a local resident.

The applicant's operating schedule proposed a range of conditions aimed at promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These included measures such as:

• CCTV Installation: A CCTV system capable of providing good quality images, with recordings retained for at least 31 days and made available to authorised officers.
• Staff Training: All staff selling alcohol were to be trained, with authorisation records kept and refreshed regularly.
• Alcohol Sales Restrictions: The shop would not stock or sell stronger beers, lagers, and ciders over 6.5% ABV, with exceptions for genuine artisan or craft products.
• Refusals Policy: A clear policy for refusing alcohol sales to individuals who are street drinkers, appear drunk, or are unable to provide valid identification.
• Challenge 25 Policy: A policy requiring staff to ask for proof of age from anyone appearing to be under 25.
• Litter and Noise Management: Notices would be displayed asking customers to leave quietly and not to litter, with staff monitoring the area outside the premises.

The report pack also detailed proposed conditions from the Licensing Enforcement Officer, Edwin Maldoom, and the Metropolitan Police, represented by PC Phil Graves. These included further stipulations on CCTV, incident and refusal logs, staff training, and restrictions on the types and sizes of alcohol sold. For instance, the Police representation suggested no sales of beers, ales, lagers, or ciders above 6.0% ABV, and no single cans of beer, lager, or cider under 500ml.

Councillor Amer Agha, the Labour Party councillor for Welsh Harp Ward, formally objected to the application on the grounds of public nuisance, noise, anti-social behaviour (ASB), litter, and safety concerns due to the proximity to a school. The resident's representation also requested the licence be refused, citing the premises' long and serious history of licensing breaches under previous operators, including a previous premises licence revocation.

The sub-committee was presented with the option to grant the licence, exclude certain licensable activities, refuse to specify a designated premises supervisor, or reject the application entirely.