The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider applications for new premises licences for two establishments: Shan Local at 51 Fulham Broadway and Revive Cafe at 290-294 Uxbridge Road. Both applications involved the sale of alcohol or the provision of late-night refreshment, and both had attracted objections from residents and responsible authorities.

Shan Local, 51 Fulham Broadway

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Shan Local, a convenience store located at 51 Fulham Broadway, London SW6 1AE. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol off the premises between 10:00 and 23:00, with the premises to be open to the public from 08:00 to 02:00 daily.

The report pack indicated that the application had received an objection from Barclay Road Neighbourhood Watch. This objection highlighted concerns about the applicant's past promises to the Licensing Committee, referencing a previous hearing on 21 February 2023 where Mr. Prabakaran Shanmugaratnam, the applicant, had stated it would be a completely different ball game, a completely different picture if granted a licence. The objectors noted a breach of condition on 17 April 2024, when alcohol was displayed for sale contrary to licence terms. They expressed a lack of confidence in the applicant's ability to comply with licensing objectives, particularly regarding the sale of alcohol hours and specific conditions. The objection also detailed the premises' history of licence revocations and conditions prohibiting certain individuals from being involved in the business. The Barclay Road Neighbourhood Watch requested the application be rejected, citing increased crime in the Fulham Broadway area and the applicant's failure to uphold the law during a previously granted time-limited licence.

The report pack also included the decision letter from the Licensing Committee's hearing on 21 February 2023, which detailed the premises' history, including two previous licence revocations due to multiple breaches and the sale of alcohol to a child. The committee at that time had rejected the application, citing concerns about the applicant's ability to promote the licensing objectives.

Revive Cafe, 290-294 Uxbridge Road

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Revive Cafe, located at 290-294 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 7LJ. The application sought permission for the provision of late-night refreshment indoors only, from 23:00 to 03:00 on Mondays to Saturdays, and 23:00 to 01:00 on Sundays. The proposed opening hours for the premises were 07:00 to 03:00 on Mondays to Saturdays, and 07:00 to 01:00 on Sundays. The applicant, Omar Said, stated that the cafe/restaurant does not serve alcohol and the primary purpose of the application was to extend operating hours for late-night food provision.

The report pack indicated that the application had received objections from the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police, a Community Safety Officer, and several local residents.

The Metropolitan Police, in their representation, objected to the application on the grounds that it would undermine the licensing objectives of the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and the Prevention of Public Nuisance. While acknowledging that no incidents were directly recorded as linked to Revive Cafe itself, the police highlighted concerns about the premises' location and the consistent gathering of people outside, leading to anti-social behaviour. They also expressed concern that granting this licence could set a precedent for similar premises to apply for later hours, negatively impacting crime and disorder in the area. The police noted that the applicant had not offered specific conditions to uphold the licensing objectives and suggested that if a licence were granted, it should be time-limited for one year with further reduced hours.

The Licensing Authority also submitted a representation, citing past adverse enforcement history. This included complaints in April 2020 regarding customers congregating outside without social distancing, and concerns about the premises potentially operating after 23:00. Further complaints in April/May 2020 noted large numbers of young men gathering outside and causing disturbances. In September 2021, police were called to a fight involving weapons at the junction of Uxbridge Road and Loftus Road, where a young person was reportedly stabbed. The Licensing Authority proposed refusing the application, suggesting a time-limited licence with further reduced hours if the committee was minded to grant it.

Local residents and the Community Safety Officer raised numerous concerns about noise, littering, dangerous and illegal parking, and anti-social behaviour associated with patrons of the cafe and surrounding establishments. Some residents reported feeling unsafe due to aggressive crowds and the presence of drug dealing and gang activity. The Community Safety Officer noted that the premises had been visited by enforcement officers multiple times without significant improvement in managing patron behaviour. Concerns were also raised about the premises potentially operating past closing hours, with the basement area being used by drivers.

The applicant had agreed to amend their proposed hours to 23:00 to 00:00 from Sundays to Thursdays, and 23:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with the kitchen extract system not being used between 23:00 and 05:00. However, objections from the police and residents remained. The police maintained their objection, believing any extension would detrimentally affect crime and disorder. Residents continued to object, citing ongoing anti-social issues and the ineffectiveness of current enforcement.