The Licensing Committee meeting on Thursday 8 October 2026 discussed a significant enforcement operation at Charles House Trading Estate, Southall, which resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of illicit and non-compliant goods. The committee also received an update on licensing policy and enforcement activities, noting a decrease in new premises licence applications but an increase in licence reviews.

Operation Linchpin and Seizure of Illicit Goods

A major focus of the meeting was the outcome of Operation Linchpin, a multi-agency initiative targeting organised criminality at Charles House Trading Estate in Southall. This operation, which involved Licensing officers, Trading Standards, the Metropolitan Police Service, and HM Revenue & Customs, resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit and non-compliant products. These included 46,970 non-compliant vapes, 2,189 vape cartridges, 4,697 vape liquids, 4,950 nicotine pouches, 15,737 non-compliant toys, 750 non-compliant perfumes, and 6,316 counterfeit goods.

Councillor Jon Ball raised concerns about illicit cigarettes sold in unlicensed premises and questioned the scope for checking these alongside licensed premises, particularly regarding non-duty-paid Polish cigarettes. Allan Barr, Licensing Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader, reassured Councillor Ball that the remit of the licensing enforcement team extends to unlicensed premises and that they work closely with Trading Standards to act on intelligence.

Councillor Flora MacLoughlin inquired about the nature of the seized illicit goods, asking whether they were predominantly dangerous and counterfeit or simply non-duty-paid. Graham Edwards, Licensing Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader, explained that it was a mix, with vaping products and counterfeit goods being a significant component. He also highlighted the prevalence of illicit medication, including erectile dysfunction medication and opioids, being seized.

Councillor Rabia Nasimi asked about preventative work and support for compliant businesses in the Charles House estate. Izabela Gregory, Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (Acting), stated that Operation Linchpin combines enforcement with advice, but noted the difficulty in providing advice when businesses close immediately upon the arrival of enforcement officers. She acknowledged the challenge of supporting compliant businesses when others may have something to hide.

Councillor Charan Sharma raised a critical point regarding the storage of seized illicit goods, questioning whether a lack of storage capacity could delay or reduce enforcement visits. Izabela Gregory confirmed that this is a significant challenge, leading to increased storage costs and posing a threat to the operation. She is actively seeking council support to address this issue. She also clarified that while prosecution costs are claimed, the expenses for storing seized goods cannot be reclaimed.

Licensing Policy Hearing and Enforcement Update Report

The committee received an update on licensing policy and enforcement activities between June and September 2026. The report indicated that Ealing has a high number of licensed premises compared to neighbouring boroughs. While the number of new premises licence applications had decreased, there had been an increase in licence reviews.

Between June and September 2026, the Licensing Sub-Committee determined six new premises licence applications, granting five and refusing one. Two premises licence reviews were also determined, resulting in one licence suspension and one with additional conditions. The report highlighted that officers work collaboratively with applicants and responsible authorities to agree conditions, thereby avoiding formal hearings in most cases.

The Licensing Compliance Team conducted 28 inspections of late-night economy premises, identifying two operating without the necessary licences and two operating beyond authorised hours. The team also engaged in intelligence-led inspections with partner agencies, focusing on illicit tobacco, alcohol, vaping products, and counterfeit goods, which led to seizures and ongoing investigations.

The report also detailed the Council's Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) initiative, which provides training to licence holders and Designated Premises Supervisors to help them recognise and respond to vulnerable individuals. Public Health funding has supported proactive inspections and enhanced partnership working.

The committee noted the upcoming implementation of the Mayor of London's strategic call-in powers, which will allow the Mayor to review licensing decisions of strategic importance. The Council had expressed concerns about the potential volume of applications that could be called in.

Implementation of the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024

The committee discussed the implementation of new regulations requiring licences for keeping primates as pets. These regulations, effective from 6 April 2024, were introduced due to the complex welfare and social needs of primates, making them unsuitable as domestic pets. The council had not yet received any applications for primate licences, and intelligence suggested few were expected within the borough. The committee noted the need to delegate licence determinations to authorised officers, supported by specialist veterinary expertise from the City of London Veterinary Service, due to the technical nature of the licensing regime. A proposed licence fee structure was also noted.