The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a premises licence for Selekt Chicken, located at 349 North End Road, London, SW6 1NN, in part. The licence allows for late-night refreshment indoors and outdoors from 11:00 PM to 11:30 PM on Thursdays to Saturdays, with premises opening hours until 11:30 PM on those days. The licence also includes conditions proposed by the Police and agreed by the applicant, and will expire after six months.

Selekt Chicken Premises Licence Application

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for Selekt Chicken, located at 349 North End Road, London, SW6 1NN. The application sought permission for late-night refreshment both indoors and outdoors from Sunday to Thursday between 11:00 PM and midnight, and from Friday to Saturday between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM. The proposed opening hours for the premises were from 10:00 AM to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

During the consultation period, the applicant, Ahmad Farid Sultan, agreed to amend the application following discussions with the Metropolitan Police. The revised proposal included closing the premises to walk-in customers at midnight daily, with takeaway services permitted only until 1:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, 18 conditions were agreed upon with the Police, covering aspects such as CCTV, staff training, incident logs, customer dispersal, and delivery driver management.

Despite these amendments, numerous objections were received from local residents, ward councillors, and responsible authorities, including the Licensing Authority and the Noise and Nuisance Team. The primary concerns raised centred on the potential for public nuisance, crime and disorder, and the cumulative impact of late-night operations in a densely residential area. Objectors highlighted issues such as noise from customers and delivery drivers, litter, anti-social behaviour, and the proximity of the premises to residential properties.

The Licensing Authority, represented by Adrian Overton, Licensing Team Manager, maintained its objection, arguing that the proposed hours would undermine the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and crime and disorder. They expressed concerns that the agreed conditions did not sufficiently mitigate the risks associated with increased late-night activity in a sensitive locality.

Councillor Lydia Paynter, represented by Councillor Sam Kelly, also objected, echoing concerns about late-night food provision contributing to public nuisance and anti-social behaviour. John Garcia from the Environmental Protection Team maintained an objection on the grounds of preventing public nuisance, citing the potential for noise disturbance to nearby residents from customer arrivals, dispersal, and vehicle movements during quieter night-time hours.

Residents, including Yann Prissette, Henry Blomfield, and Charlotte Dexter (representing numerous residents and local groups), presented detailed objections. They emphasised the densely residential nature of the area, the existing problems with noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour, and the negative impact of late-night operations on residents' quality of life and ability to sleep. The Barclay Road Conservation Area Neighbourhood Watch, represented by Charlotte Dexter, highlighted the cumulative impact of multiple late-night establishments and pointed to existing planning conditions that restrict operating hours and deliveries.

The applicant, represented by Mr Zalkay Hazarbuz, the manager, argued that the requested additional hour was necessary for cleaning, waste management, and reducing food waste, and that the agreed conditions with the Police demonstrated a commitment to responsible operation. They also stated that delivery drivers would be managed to minimise disturbance.

After considering all representations and evidence, the Licensing Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Mercy Umeh, with Councillor Wesley Harcourt and Councillor Dominic Stanton, decided to grant the application in part. The licence was granted for late-night refreshment indoors and outdoors from 11:00 PM to 11:30 PM on Thursdays to Saturdays. The premises' opening hours were set until 11:30 PM on Thursdays to Saturdays. The decision also included the addition of all conditions proposed by the Police and agreed by the applicant. Furthermore, a condition was added requiring responsible staff to conduct proactive litter patrols outside the premises at least twice daily and at the end of trading hours, with records to be maintained. Signs asking patrons to dispose of waste responsibly were also to be displayed. The premises licence will expire six months from the date of grant.

The committee noted that the applicant's proposed hours and conditions were subject to ongoing scrutiny, particularly regarding their enforceability and effectiveness in mitigating the concerns raised by residents and responsible authorities. The decision reflected a compromise, granting limited extended hours while imposing strict conditions to address public nuisance and crime and disorder.