The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on Monday 10 November 2014 and refused two licence applications while adjourning another. The committee refused a premises licence for Presco Food & Wine and a special treatment licence for Fanta's Beauty, and adjourned the review of Club Favour.

Presco Food & Wine Licence Refused

The application for a premises licence for Presco Food & Wine, located at 244 Southwark Park Road, London SE16 3RN, was refused. The sub-committee found the application to be a sham, primarily driven by Mr. Asif Ali, who was deemed unsuitable to hold a personal licence or be the designated premises supervisor (DPS). Concerns were raised about Mr. Ali's previous acceptance of a simple caution for counterfeit alcohol offences and allegations of violence and theft.

Evidence presented by Trading Standards highlighted diversion fraud spirits found at another premises owned by Mr. Ali's relative, Mr. Yaqoob Khan, and managed by Mr. Asif Ali. It was also stated that Mrs. Balakrishna, the previous licence holder, had surrendered her licence after being subjected to harassment by Mr. Ali. Further concerns included the employment of staff at below minimum wage and in breach of immigration laws, as well as a serious incident on 5 November 2014 where an employee allegedly brandished a BB gun outside the premises. A subsequent fire on 6 November 2014, caused by a firework, revealed that the fire exit at the rear of the premises had been padlocked shut, posing a significant public safety risk. The sub-committee concluded that Mrs. Anna Ali, the applicant, had exercised poor judgment in her dealings with Mr. Asif Ali.

Fanta's Beauty Special Treatment Licence Refused

Fatima Sheriff's application for a special treatment licence for Fanta's Beauty, located at Ground Floor, 194 Walworth Road, London SE17 1JJ, was refused. The sub-committee was not satisfied that Ms. Sheriff had significantly improved her practices following a previous conviction in May 2014 for health and safety breaches.

The Health and Safety Officer expressed concerns that Ms. Sheriff was not a fit and proper person to hold such a licence, citing 20 complaints from parents and schools regarding underage piercings without parental consent. The officer also stated that Ms. Sheriff had provided falsified qualification certificates to the health and safety team. The sub-committee noted Ms. Sheriff's inability to provide a clear policy on ID verification for underage customers and evidence of staff training. Further concerns were raised about an apprentice tattooist listed on the application form, which Ms. Sheriff denied completing.

Club Favour Licence Review Adjourned

A review of the licence for Club Favour, located at 512 - 516 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5BA, was adjourned. The adjournment was requested to allow the premises to provide additional CCTV footage and for the police to submit updated witness statements as evidence for the sub-committee to consider. The Metropolitan Police Service had submitted a representation in support of the review.