The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence. The meeting's agenda included the review of an application submitted by Shubh & Janki Ltd for the premises known as Rajdhani Express.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Rajdhani Express

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Rajdhani Express, located at 616 Kingsbury Road, NW9 9HN. The application, submitted by Shubh & Janki Ltd, sought permission to sell alcohol from 11 am to midnight, Monday to Sunday. Additionally, the application requested provision for late-night refreshment and permission for the premises to remain open until 2 am, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack indicated that representations had been received and subsequently withdrawn from the Police and the Licensing Officer. However, a representation remained outstanding from a local resident. This resident's objection was based on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance, citing concerns about the premises' external layout, congregating groups, and the potential for increased litter and anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol sales.

The applicant, Shubh & Janki Ltd, responded to these concerns, clarifying that alcohol would only be sold for consumption on the premises and would be ancillary to food. They stated that external stalls were solely for the sale of Indian fast food and ice gola products and would not be used for alcohol sales. The applicant also proposed additional security measures, including the employment of a security guard to monitor the outside area and the continued use of CCTV. They committed to cleaning the area outside the premises and jet washing the shop front weekly.

The Police, represented by PC Brendon McInnes, initially made representations concerning all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. They outlined several conditions that, if agreed upon, would lead to the withdrawal of their representations. These conditions included requirements for a comprehensive CCTV system, a staff member conversant with its operation, prominent CCTV signage, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, comprehensive staff training, an incident log, a personal licence holder on duty at all times alcohol was sold, and that alcohol supply would be to seated customers as an ancillary to a table meal, with no vertical drinking. Further conditions related to the cessation of outdoor street food at 11 pm, no high-strength alcohol sales above 5.5% ABV, and prominent notices requesting patrons to leave quietly.

Following discussions, the applicant agreed to the conditions proposed by the Police. Subsequently, the Police withdrew their representations. The applicant also agreed to a revised set of conditions for the premises licence, detailed in Proposed Annex Two. These conditions included specific requirements for the CCTV system, incident log, staff training, and the sale and consumption of alcohol. Notably, the conditions stipulated that alcohol would only be served by way of waiter service to seated customers as an ancillary to a seated table meal, with no vertical drinking. The front external seating area was to close to customers after 11 pm, and doors and windows were to remain closed after 11 pm, except for ingress and egress. The conditions also specified that no high-strength beers, lagers, and ciders above 6.0% ABV would be sold.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer, Edwin Maldoom, confirmed that, given the agreement on the attached conditions, the Licensing Authority had no objections to the application.