The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council is scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence. The application relates to Zebu Butchers Ltd and seeks to extend its licensed area, permitted hours for the sale of alcohol, and opening hours, as well as add licensable activities including live and recorded music.

Application to Vary Premises Licence for Zebu Butchers Ltd

The Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider an application from Zebu Butchers Ltd to vary its premises licence for the premises located at Unit 38 Sapcote Trading Centre, High Road, NW10 2DJ¹. The application, detailed in the Public reports pack Wednesday 21-Oct-2026 14.00 Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf, proposes several significant changes.

These proposed changes include:

• Extension of the licensed area: To include the private car parking area belonging to Unit 38, intended for customer seating and the consumption of food and alcohol.
• Extension of permitted hours for the sale of alcohol: From the current 9:00 pm to midnight (00:00) seven days a week, for both on and off the premises sales.
• Extension of opening hours: From the current 9:00 pm to 12:30 am (00:30) Monday to Sunday.
• Addition of licensable activities:
  • Live Music from 12:00 pm to midnight (00:00) Monday to Sunday, to take place solely within the internal area of the premises.
  • Recorded Music from 10:00 am to midnight (00:00) Monday to Sunday, with recorded music permitted indoors until midnight and outdoors until 10:00 pm (22:00).

The current premises licence² authorises the sale of alcohol from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday to Sunday, with the premises open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday to Sunday.

The report pack indicates that representations have been received from the Police and a member of the public. The Police representation, detailed in correspondence dated 17 September 2026, raises concerns regarding all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The Police note that the service road within the Sapcote Trading Estate has a history of anti-social behaviour, crime, drug-taking, and noise complaints, citing specific incidents and crime figures for the wider area. They express concern that the proposed extension into the service road, which is used by vehicles, could exacerbate these issues and that the application does not adequately explain how safety will be maintained or how it will uphold the licensing objectives.

A representation from a member of the public, dated 16 September 2026, also objects to the application, citing serious concerns regarding public safety due to the proposed use of the private car park as an external customer area where vehicles also manoeuvre. This representation also highlights concerns about the protection of children from harm, the prevention of public nuisance due to the cumulative effect of extended hours, outdoor alcohol consumption, and live and recorded music, and the prevention of crime and disorder.

The applicant, Zebu Butchers Ltd, has provided a supplementary operating, safety and licensing information document, dated 22 September 2026, outlining their existing management controls and proposed additional safeguards. They state that the variation is not intended to change the nature of the premises into a nightclub or late-night drinking establishment and that any live music will be ancillary entertainment. They also detail measures for CCTV, responsible alcohol sales, staff training, and supervision of the external customer area, including the use of a removable barrier system.

Further correspondence indicates that Zebu Butchers Ltd has withdrawn the request to extend the licensed area into the private car park and has also withdrawn the request for recorded music outdoors between 10:00 and 22:00. The Licensing Authority, represented by Rhea Vagarwal, Licensing Enforcement Officer, has indicated that it will withdraw its representation, provided Zebu Butchers Ltd accepts a set of proposed conditions that will supersede existing conditions on the licence. These proposed conditions cover CCTV, age verification, refusal logs, incident logs, staff training, and restrictions on alcohol sales and deliveries.

The Agenda frontsheet Wednesday 21-Oct-2026 14.00 Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf (https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/g8828/Agenda%20frontsheet%20Wednesday%2021-Oct-2026%2014.00%20Alcohol%20and%20Entertainment%20Licensing%20Sub-Committee.pdf?T=0) provides the meeting's agenda and membership details. The Public reports pack Wednesday 21-Oct-2026 14.00 Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf (https://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/g8828/Public%20reports%20pack%20Wednesday%2021-Oct-2026%2014.00%20Alcohol%20and%20Entertainment%20Licensing%20Sub-Committee.pdf?T=10) contains the detailed reports for the meeting.