The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 13 May 2026. The primary item on the agenda is an application to transfer a premises licence for Food for Less, located at 20 Watling Avenue, Edgware HA8 0LR. The committee will also consider the procedure for licensing sub-committee hearings.

Application to Transfer Premises Licence: Food for Less

The main focus of the meeting will be the consideration of an application to transfer the premises licence for Food for Less at 20 Watling Avenue, Edgware HA8 0LR. The application has been submitted by Kappuccino (UK) Ltd.

The report pack indicates that the transfer application has attracted an objection from the Metropolitan Police Service, citing concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder. This objection means that the Licensing Sub-Committee must hold a hearing to consider the representation. The report details that the police's objection is based on a review of the premises licence that is currently underway, following an application by Barnet Trading Standards. This review is reportedly due to serious criminal activity identified at the premises, including the storage of large quantities of non-duty-paid tobacco, the sale of what appear to be prescription-only medicines and unlabelled alcohol, and a failed test purchase for illegal cigarettes.

The report pack outlines that the Licensing Sub-Committee will need to give appropriate weight to the police's representation, the statutory guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy. The determination of the application will focus solely on the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder. The committee has the power to either reject the application or grant the transfer. No other licensing objectives are relevant to this specific type of application, and conditions cannot be modified at this stage.

The report also notes that the application includes a request for immediate interim effect, which is permitted under Section 43 of the Licensing Act 2003, allowing the business to continue operating while the transfer application is being considered. This is subject to the consent of the current licence holder, Mr Ciprian-Filaret Solovastru, which has been provided.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure

The committee will also review the procedure for licensing sub-committee hearings. This procedure, detailed in the document LBBLicensingSubCommitteeHearingsProcedure_.pdf, is based on regulations made under the Licensing Act 2003 and is designed to ensure natural justice and a fair hearing. It outlines the roles of the Governance Officer and the Chair, the process for presenting cases by the Licensing Officer, the applicant, and other parties, and the procedures for deliberation and determination of applications. The procedure also includes information on how to appeal against a decision.