The Licensing Sub-Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for DGN Mobile & Vapes at 23 London Road, Twickenham. After hearing evidence and representations, the Sub-Committee decided to refuse the licence.

DGN Mobile & Vapes, 23 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SX

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for DGN Mobile & Vapes, located at 23 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SX, to allow for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises between 9 am and 11 pm, seven days a week.

The application was opposed by two local residents. Their representations raised concerns about the lack of detail in the applicant's operating schedule regarding how the licensing objectives would be promoted and upheld. Specific worries were expressed about the potential impact on children and young persons due to the premises' proximity to Holly Road Playground, which is frequented by children from a nearby primary school and nursery, and is also reportedly used by groups of drinkers and young people. Concerns were also raised about increased litter and public disorder.

The applicant's agent, Mario Penge, and the applicant, Karan Lal, presented their case. They stated that the premises, currently selling vapes, phone accessories, and other general goods, would operate as a small shop with a limited selection of alcohol, including wines, spirits, and bottled beers. They committed to implementing a Challenge 25 policy, staff training, and maintaining the cleanliness of the area around the shop. Mr. Penge, who has extensive experience in alcohol sales, emphasised that the alcohol would be a minor part of the business, with a display area estimated at 20-30% of the shop's space. Mr. Lal highlighted that his adjacent Indian restaurant, the Sheesh Mahal, operates on a bring your own bottle policy, and customers often inquire about purchasing alcohol to accompany their meals.

The Sub-Committee also heard from the Legal Officer, Seymour Khan, who summarised the Council's Cumulative Impact Policy for Twickenham Town Centre. This policy acknowledges that the area has a high density of licensed premises and a significant number of complaints related to violence and anti-social behaviour. The policy states that granting further licences in this zone is likely to negatively impact the licensing objectives unless the applicant can demonstrate that their premises will not add to this cumulative impact.

In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee noted that the applicant and their agent were not fully aware of the Council's Cumulative Impact Policy and therefore could not adequately demonstrate how their application would avoid negatively impacting the cumulative effect in the area. The Sub-Committee also found that the operating schedule lacked sufficient detail on how the licensing objectives would be promoted, particularly concerning the display of alcohol within the premises, the visibility from the till, and the applicant's awareness of local issues such as nearby schools and the presence of street drinkers.

Consequently, the Sub-Committee decided to refuse the application for the premises licence. They invited the applicant to submit a more detailed and considered application in the future, specifically addressing the Cumulative Impact Policy and the local context of the premises.

The meeting was held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, and the decision was issued on 21 September 2026. The applicant has the right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates' Court within 21 days.