The Licensing Sub-Committee of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Tuesday 14 July 2026 and decided to reject an application for a new premises licence for Retail 24, located at 70 Uxbridge Road, London W12 8LP. The application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

Retail 24, 70 Uxbridge Road, London W12 8LP

The committee rejected the application for a new premises licence for Retail 24, located at 70 Uxbridge Road, London W12 8LP. The applicant, Mr Zahid Mohammad, had applied for a licence to sell alcohol off the premises, with proposed hours of 10 am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and 10 am to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The premises itself was proposed to be open 24 hours a day.

During the consultation period, numerous objections were received from responsible authorities, local councillors, residents' associations, and local residents. These objections primarily centred on the potential for increased crime and disorder, public nuisance, and a negative impact on public safety and the protection of children from harm. Concerns were raised about the premises' history, with the previous licence holder having had their licence revoked in December 2025 due to repeated breaches of conditions and operating outside permitted hours.

The applicant later amended the proposed hours for the sale of alcohol to 10 am to 11 pm, Monday to Sunday. While this reduction was welcomed by some, objectors maintained their concerns. The Metropolitan Police highlighted a persistent pattern of crime and anti-social behaviour associated with the premises and its vicinity, including drug dealing, violence, and frequent police attendance. They argued that insufficient evidence had been presented to demonstrate how the new applicant would address these entrenched issues.

The Caxton Village Residents Association and local residents provided detailed accounts of the negative impact of the current environment on their lives, citing issues such as street drinking, drug use, intimidation, and public urination. They argued that granting a further alcohol licence, particularly with late-night hours, would exacerbate these existing problems.

The applicant, Mr Mohammad Zahid, stated that he intended to operate the business as a family-run enterprise and would implement robust management controls and staff training. He also mentioned that he would be purchasing the business from the previous owner, Mr Kamran Raza, and that Mr Raza would have no further involvement. However, supplementary information presented by the Caxton Village Residents Association suggested potential links between the applicant and the previous licence holder through company directorships, which the applicant was asked to clarify.

After considering all representations and hearing from the parties involved, the committee decided to reject the application. The full decision, including the reasons for refusal, will be sent to the parties involved.