The Licensing Sub-Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council granted a new premises licence for Tesco Express at 27A-27B, The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1DN. The licence permits the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 08:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday, with the premises open to the public from 06:00 to 00:00. The decision was made after considering representations from local residents' associations and the applicant, Tesco Stores Limited.

Tesco Express Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Tesco Express at 27A-27B, The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1DN. The application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 06:00 and 00:00 daily, with late-night refreshment until midnight. This was later amended to alcohol sales from 06:00 to 23:00, with late-night refreshment withdrawn.

Two representations were received from interested parties: the Friends of Richmond Green (FoRG) and the Richmond Society. Both groups raised concerns that the premises is located within the Richmond Town Centre Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) and argued that the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated that granting the licence would not negatively impact the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The FoRG specifically requested that alcohol sales should not commence before 07:00 and should cease no later than 22:00, and they objected to late-night refreshment. They also proposed several conditions, including restrictions on alcohol display distances from the entrance, packaging sizes, and a requirement for SIA door staff. The Richmond Society also objected to the proposed late opening hours and late-night refreshment, suggesting a closing time of 22:00 for alcohol sales and no late-night refreshment.

Tesco Stores Limited, represented by Jeremy Bach, argued that they are a responsible operator with extensive experience and robust policies in place to uphold the licensing objectives. They highlighted their Think 25 policy, comprehensive staff training, CCTV systems, and a dedicated 24/7 resource called The Hub for incident support. Tesco also noted that no objections were received from Responsible Authorities, such as the Metropolitan Police, who had agreed to specific conditions.

The Sub-Committee, after careful consideration of all evidence and legal advice, decided to grant the licence with modified hours and additional conditions. The permitted hours for the sale of alcohol were set from 08:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday. The premises' opening hours were set from 06:00 to 00:00.

Several conditions were attached to the licence to promote the licensing objectives. These included:

• A member of the management team to be present at all times the store is open.
• The premises to operate a Think 25 policy, with electronic point-of-sale systems programmed to prompt staff.
• All staff engaged in alcohol sales to receive documented training.
• A log to be kept of all crimes, ejections, complaints, disorder incidents, CCTV faults, and visits by authorities.
• A CCTV system to be installed and maintained, with recordings retained for a minimum of 31 days and accessible to the police and licensing authority.
• On major event days, including Rugby Days, alcohol sales to cease immediately upon direction from a police officer until further notice or the event concludes.
• No single cans or bottles of beer or cider to be sold, except for speciality or craft beers.
• All cans or bottles of beer or cider to be sold in packs of no less than four and no greater than eight.
• Alcohol to be secured behind locked storerooms, grilles, screens, or cabinet doors outside of authorised alcohol sale hours.
• The police to be provided with reasonable access to CCTV footage, noting that CCTV is monitored at The Hub.

The Sub-Committee noted that while the premises is within the Cumulative Impact Zone, Tesco's operational schedule, agreed conditions with the police, and further concessions made during the hearing, along with the imposed conditions, were considered appropriate and proportionate to ensure the licensing objectives would not be undermined. The decision acknowledged that the premises is not alcohol-led and that Tesco has a range of safeguards in place.