The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council met on Monday 22 June 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence. The meeting's agenda included the procedure for licensing hearings and a decision on the application for AAA News.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to discuss the established procedure for licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the steps that will be followed during a hearing, including the presentation of the application by an officer, the case presented by the applicant, and the case presented by any interested parties making representations. It also details the order of summing up and the subsequent private decision-making process by the sub-committee.

Application for a New Premises Licence: AAA News

The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for AAA News, located at 1035 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, RM6 4AU. The application, submitted by Naveen Kumar Ramesh, sought authorisation for the retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

The proposed operating hours for the sale of alcohol were from 07:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday, with the premises itself open to the public from 06:00 to 23:00 daily. The applicant described the premises as a small corner shop.

The report pack indicated that the applicant had proposed a schedule of conditions to promote the licensing objectives, and the Licensing Enforcement Team had agreed on additional conditions with the applicant.

However, the application had attracted significant opposition. Fifteen individual representations were received from other persons opposing the licence, alongside a petition signed by 72 individuals. These objections were lodged on the basis that granting the licence could negatively impact all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The report detailed the requirements for premises licence applications under the Licensing Act 2003, including the consultation process and the criteria for making representations. It also outlined the four licensing objectives and referenced the Statutory Guidance issued by the Home Office, which provides advice on how licensing authorities should consider these objectives.

The report also highlighted policy considerations, including the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which sets out the framework for licensing decisions. It noted that the application sought hours beyond the recommended framework hours for off-licensed premises in the Chadwell Heath area.

The report also addressed legal implications, including those under the Human Rights Act 1998, and fairness implications, including equality and diversity considerations under the Equality Act 2010. There were no budgetary implications for the council arising from this report.

The recommendations presented to the Licensing Sub-Committee were to decide whether to:

• Grant the application.
• Grant the application with additional conditions.
• Grant the application in part only, with conditions.
• Reject the application.

The report pack included appendices detailing the application form, premises layout plan, agreed conditions, Google Maps and Street View images of the location, and copies of the representations received from other persons. These representations raised concerns about increased anti-social behaviour, noise, litter, and potential harm to children due to the premises' proximity to a mosque and its regular use by families and children.