The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee of Waltham Forest Council met on Friday, 12 June 2026, to consider an application for a premises licence for Sainsbury's at 433-443 High Road, Leytonstone. The committee decided to grant the premises licence with a specific condition regarding the sale of alcohol.

Grant of a Premises Licence: Sainsbury's, 433-443 High Road, Leytonstone, E11 4JU

The Sub-Committee granted a premises licence to Sainsbury's, located at 433-443 High Road, Leytonstone, E11 4JU, with a key condition attached. The decision was made to grant the licence, but with the stipulation that There shall be no sale of beer, lager or cider with an ABV% content exceeding 5.5% ABV, save for craft and premium beer, lager or cider. The Sub-Committee deemed this condition appropriate for upholding the licensing objectives.

The application had received four representations from other persons, ¹ raising concerns related to the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and preventing crime and disorder. These concerns were detailed in the submitted documents, including representations from Ann Pfeiffer, Helen Finch, and Lucy Jamieson, all residents of the E11 area.

Ann Pfeiffer, who resides at XXX Birch Grove, London E11 4YG, objected to the licence, citing the existing number of alcohol-selling premises in the vicinity and the potential for increased street drinking and anti-social behaviour. She also highlighted concerns about disruption from deliveries, particularly at the busy junction of Cathall Road, and the impact on pedestrians, especially those with mobility issues. Noise from early morning or late-night deliveries and potential litter were also raised as issues. Furthermore, she noted that the route is used by children travelling to school and expressed concern about their exposure to alcohol advertising.

Helen Finch, also of XXX Birch Grove, E11 4YG, echoed concerns about anti-social behaviour, noting that existing alcohol outlets already attract loitering and littering near the war memorial and on Denmark Street. She suggested that increased alcohol availability and potential discounting by Sainsbury's could exacerbate these issues. Finch also raised concerns about pavement congestion due to deliveries and the impact on pedestrians, as well as noise disturbances for residents living above the parade and opposite.

Lucy Jamieson, residing at XXX Matcham Road, E11 3LA, expressed concern that the proposed hours of sale (7 am to 11 pm) would negatively impact an area already struggling with drinking and drug-related public nuisance. She pointed to an area opposite the proposed site where street drinkers and drug users congregate, suggesting that the availability of low-cost alcohol would not help discourage this. Jamieson also raised concerns about noise from delivery trucks and increased litter, noting that the South Leytonstone community already faces challenges with anti-social behaviour, exacerbated by numerous alcohol outlets, vape shops, and betting shops.

A representation from Deborah Stevenson, a resident at the Community Based Housing Association at XXXX Leytonstone High Road, strongly objected to the application, stating that the site currently provides temporary housing for vulnerable residents. Stevenson expressed concern that the application might be part of a plan to convert the building into a supermarket, leading to the loss of essential social housing and the eviction of residents. The proposed alcohol licence hours were deemed incompatible with a residential housing facility, with concerns raised about noise, foot traffic, public safety, and the impact on local independent businesses.

The decision to grant the licence with the ABV restriction was made to uphold the licensing objectives. A written letter detailing the reasons for the decision will be sent to all parties within five working days. The relevant parties have the right to appeal the decision to Thames Magistrates Court within twenty-one days of notification.