The Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council met on Friday 24 April 2026 to review the premises licence for Diamond Food and Wine. Following consideration of representations from the Licensing Authority and the Home Office, the committee decided to revoke the licence.

Application to Review Premises Licence - Diamond Food & Wine

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application to review the premises licence for Diamond Food & Wine, located at 135-137 New Road, Rainham, RM13 8ES. The review was initiated by Mr Paul Jones, a Public Protection Officer for Havering Council, with support from the Home Office Immigration Department.

The application for review stemmed from a visit to the premises on 27 February 2026, during which two individuals were found to be working without the right to do so in the UK. Further concerns were raised regarding inadequate safety standards, a lack of supervision, and the apparent absence of a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).

During the hearing, Mr. Jones highlighted that the nominal DPS, Mr. Mehul Patel, had indicated he had not been the DPS for 10 years and had lost his personal licence, without making an application for a replacement. Mr. Jones stated his concern that the business had a cavalier attitude towards its licensing responsibilities.

Alex Romano, representing the Home Office, confirmed that a civil penalty notice for £80,000 had been issued to Diamond Food and Wine Limited on 2 April 2026, with the licence holder having until 5 May 2026 to object. This penalty process was proceeding separately from the licensing review.

The committee discussed the potential for businesses to close and reopen under new ownership to avoid scrutiny. It was noted that a new applicant was in the process of applying for a new premises licence for the site, and this appeared to be a distinct and separate entity from the current licence holder. The current licence holder, director Mr. Praful Patel, was reportedly in India due to health issues and nearing retirement.

Concerns were also raised about the potential for a wider issue of modern slavery and immigration, with the Home Office representative stating that such issues were country-wide and not restricted to Havering. The council indicated that a member of the licensing team would accompany immigration enforcement teams on future visits to licensed premises.

The committee also discussed the sale of high-strength alcohol, noting that while there was no specific condition on the current licence restricting such sales, a new application for a licence would likely address this. It was explained that conditions restricting high-strength lagers and ciders are typically implemented in areas prone to street drinking.

The discussion also touched upon the frequency of licence reviews and the challenges posed by limited resources for inspections. The possibility of joint working with Trading Standards was raised as a way to address potential non-compliance in multiple areas of law. It was also highlighted that a fire exit at the premises was found to be blocked, posing a significant public safety risk.

After considering all representations, the Licensing Sub-Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Diamond Food & Wine. The decision was based on the findings of illegal working, lack of supervision, and safety concerns, which were deemed to undermine the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. Parties have the right to appeal this decision within 21 days of receiving the decision notice.