The Licensing Panel of Hounslow Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 30 July 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a key application for a premises licence for Ruby's, located at 250 Great West Road, Hounslow. The panel will also consider the council's Licensing Policy and the procedure for conducting hearings.

Ruby's Premises Licence Application

A significant item on the agenda is the consideration of an application for a premises licence for Ruby's, situated at 250 Great West Road, Hounslow. The applicant, Inderpreet Kaur Rao, is seeking to supply alcohol and has requested 24-hour opening hours for the premises, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack indicates that the premises are not currently licensed. The application details an operating schedule outlining proposed measures to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. These proposed measures include maintaining an incident/refusal log, a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and violence, ensuring equipment is regularly inspected, providing first aid, arranging regular clean-ups, and operating a Challenge 25 policy for alcohol sales.

The council's Hounslow Licensing Policy¹ will be a key reference document. This policy, last reviewed in 2025, outlines the council's approach to licensing, aiming to promote the four licensing objectives while considering local circumstances. The policy states that each application will be considered individually on its merits.

Consultation on the application has taken place, with one representation received from a local resident. This representation raises concerns about the need for a 24-hour licence, the potential for increased litter, the area being treated as a public toilet, the impact on public health due to Hounslow's high rate of alcoholism, and the potential for anti-social behaviour. The Metropolitan Police Service has not made a representation but has agreed to specific conditions for the licence, as detailed in Appendix C of the public reports pack.

The panel will consider options for the application, which may include granting it in full, granting it with modifications to address representations, or rejecting the application.

Hounslow Licensing Policy and Panel Procedures

The meeting will also involve a review of the Hounslow Licensing Policy², which sets out the council's framework for determining licence applications. This policy emphasizes the equal importance of the four licensing objectives and guides how applications are assessed.

Additionally, the panel will discuss the Order of Business³ and the Procedure for the conduct of Panel hearings⁴. These documents outline the steps the panel will follow during the meeting, including the introduction of panel members and officers, the reading of applications, the questioning of applicants and those making representations, and the decision-making process. The procedure ensures that all parties have the right to be heard and that decisions are made in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

The agenda also includes a note from the Monitoring Officer regarding Interests⁵, reminding committee members of their obligations to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in matters being discussed.