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Agenda

May 19, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The Licensing Sub-Committee of Wandsworth Council met to consider a premises licence variation for Shell Little Waitrose Roehampton and a new premises licence for Londis Battersea Bridge Road. The committee approved the variation to the Shell Little Waitrose licence, allowing 24-hour alcohol sales. They also approved the new premises licence for Londis, with conditions.

Shell Little Waitrose, Roehampton Lane

The committee approved the application for a variation of the premises licence for Shell Little Waitrose, 237-239 Roehampton Lane. This allows the business to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The variation also updates the internal layout plan and replaces the conditions under Annex 2 of the existing licence with more up-to-date conditions.

Leo Charolambides, barrister representing Shell, told the sub-committee that the petrol station had been operating 24/7 since 2011, and that the application sought to modernise the licence conditions. He said that public safety concerns were not relevant to the application, as public safety relates to the safety of people on the premises, and that the well-lit, CCTV-covered petrol station was already very safe.

Councillor Matthew Tiller, Councillor for Rayhampton, spoke against the application, saying that extending alcohol sales to 24 hours would likely increase late-night disturbances and criminal behaviour in an area already struggling with antisocial activity and street drinking. He also raised concerns about the proximity of the petrol station to a school and a church.

Mr Charolambides responded that Shell has an impeccable record in terms of age-restricted sales and dealing with dangerous goods. He added that if the premises failed to support the licensing objectives, it could be reviewed by the police and responsible authorities.

During the discussion, it was clarified that two additional conditions agreed with the police were missing from the agenda, and one condition needed amendment. The missing conditions related to staff training on age checks for alcohol and age-restricted products, and the maintenance of training records. The amendment to condition 9 clarified that all services would take place through the night hatch between 23:00 and 05:00 daily, restricting public access to the premises during those hours.

Londis, Battersea Bridge Road

The committee approved the application for a new premises licence for Londis, 59 Battersea Bridge Road. The licence allows the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 07:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 07:00 to 02:00 Friday and Saturday, as well as late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 02:00 Sunday to Saturday.

Thadshayan Sivasubramaniyam, the applicant, explained that the premises would be joining the Londis retail chain and would offer a choice of products and services to local residents. He addressed concerns raised by residents about the need for another convenience store in the area, parking, and litter. He said that there was plenty of space to park behind the store on Park Gate Road for deliveries, and that the applicant would manage litter around the store.

Councillor Birchall asked about delivery times, and Mr Sivasubramaniyam confirmed that deliveries would happen between 8am and 6pm.

Councillor Davies asked about staff training and the condition regarding the strength of alcohol sold. Mr Sivasubramaniyam explained that staff would receive regular training, and that the condition on alcohol strength was introduced to address concerns about street drinking.

The licensing manager, Caroline Sharkey, confirmed that the applicant had agreed to several conditions with the Metropolitan Police, including keeping an incident log, using shutters on alcohol cabinets outside permitted hours, having a minimum of three staff members on duty beyond midnight, and displaying notices requesting customers to leave quietly. Trading Standards also requested a condition for staff to receive refresher training every three months.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Maurice McLeod
Councillor Maurice McLeod  Labour •  Battersea Park
Profile image for Councillor Mrs. Rosemary Birchall
Councillor Mrs. Rosemary Birchall  Deputy Mayor of Wandsworth •  Conservative •  Wandsworth Common
Profile image for Councillor Ethan Brooks
Councillor Ethan Brooks  Conservative •  Thamesfield
Profile image for Councillor Katrina Ffrench
Councillor Katrina Ffrench  Labour •  Furzedown
Profile image for Councillor Guy Humphries
Councillor Guy Humphries  Conservative •  Southfields
Profile image for Councillor Mark Justin
Councillor Mark Justin  Conservative •  Nine Elms
Profile image for Councillor Jack Mayorcas
Councillor Jack Mayorcas  Labour •  Trinity
Profile image for Councillor Tom Pridham
Councillor Tom Pridham  Conservative •  Lavender
Profile image for Councillor Sarah Davies
Councillor Sarah Davies  Labour •  Wandsworth Town
Profile image for Councillor Sean Lawless
Councillor Sean Lawless  Labour •  Tooting Broadway
Profile image for Councillor Norman Marshall
Councillor Norman Marshall  Labour •  South Balham
Profile image for Councillor Will Sweet
Councillor Will Sweet  Conservative •  Wandsworth Town
Profile image for Councillor Matthew Tiller
Councillor Matthew Tiller  Labour •  Roehampton
Profile image for Councillor Sarmila Varatharaj
Councillor Sarmila Varatharaj  Labour •  Wandle
Michael Flowers
Guy Bishop
Caroline Sharkey
Profile image for Councillor Leonie Cooper
Councillor Leonie Cooper  Labour •  Furzedown
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