The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 13 May 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be a review of the premises licence for Food For Less, located at 20 Watling Avenue, Edgware. The committee will also consider the procedure for licensing sub-committee hearings.

Review of Premises Licence: Food For Less

The meeting's most significant item is the scheduled review of the premises licence for Food For Less, located at 20 Watling Avenue, Edgware HA8 0LR. This review has been initiated by Karl Schultz, the Trading Standards Team Leader for the London Borough of Barnet, under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003¹.

The application for review is based on concerns relating to the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. The report pack indicates that Trading Standards has identified issues including the alleged discovery of smuggled goods, specifically non-duty paid cigarettes, foreign-labelled prescription medication, and incorrectly labelled alcohol. The application seeks to revoke the premises licence in its entirety.

The report details that on 11 December 2025, a test purchase at the premises resulted in the sale of illegal cigarettes. A subsequent inspection on 28 January 2026 led to the seizure of a significant quantity of cigarettes with non-standardised packaging and foreign labelling, as well as foreign-labelled medication and alcohol with incorrect labelling and no UK duty stamps. These findings are presented as evidence of breaches of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015, and Section 144 of the Licensing Act 2003, which pertains to the possession of smuggled goods.

The report also notes that Mr Stefan Oancea, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and a director of related companies, declined to answer questions during an interview under caution. The report suggests that this silence could imply knowledge of the offences or a lack of understanding of licensing objectives, both of which are considered concerning for a DPS.

The premises licence for Food For Less was initially granted on 30 October 2014, with Mr Ciprian-Filaret Solovastru as the licence holder. The current licence authorises the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption and permits the premises to be open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The report also mentions an ongoing application to transfer the premises licence to Kappuccino UK Ltd, though this is stated to have no bearing on the review process.

In contrast to the Trading Standards application, the report pack includes four representations from customers who express support for the continued operation of Food For Less. These individuals, including Mrs Ramona Nedelea, Mrs Iuliana Piloiu, Marius Dancuta, and Tudorita Dariuta, describe the shop as clean, well-run, and important to the local community, stating they have not witnessed any crime, anti-social behaviour, or nuisance associated with the business.

The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application and all relevant representations, along with the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003² and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2025-2030³. The committee has the power to take steps including modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the DPS, suspending the licence, or revoking it entirely.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure

The committee will also review the established procedure for licensing sub-committee hearings. This procedure, outlined in the document LBBLicensingSubCommitteeHearingsProcedure_.pdf ⁴, 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 Chair, Governance Officer, and Licensing Officer, as well as the rights and time limits for applicants and other parties to present their cases. The procedure also covers the process for deliberation and the announcement of decisions.