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Licensing Sub-Committee - Monday, 23rd June, 2025 10.30 am
June 23, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an application from Absolute Licence Solutions Ltd on behalf of Wallington Wines Limited for a new premises licence at 150 Stafford Road, Wallington. The committee decided to grant the licence, permitting the sale of alcohol between 10:00 and 23:00 from Monday to Sunday, with the shop closing at 23:00, except for Fridays and Saturdays when it can open until midnight. The decision was made after hearing from the applicant, local councillors, and residents who raised concerns about potential public nuisance and antisocial behaviour.
Wallington Wines Licence Application
The sub-committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Wallington Wines, and ultimately decided to grant it with conditions. The application sought permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 10:00 and 23:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 10:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
The licensing officer, Nikki Bentley, confirmed that the applicant had met all advertising requirements, including displaying a public notice at the premises and advertising in a local newspaper. All responsible authorities1 had been notified, and the Metropolitan Police had withdrawn their initial objection after the applicant agreed to amend their operating schedule.
However, the council received eight representations from other parties, including local councillors and residents, who raised concerns related to the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
Oisin Daly, the applicant's agent, told the sub-committee that the applicant was an experienced retailer who would work with family members at the premises. He highlighted the extensive conditions offered to address potential issues, including measures for managing deliveries, CCTV, clear shop frontage, and separation of alcohol from groceries. He also suggested that some of the objections were not evidence-based and may have been generated using AI tools.
Objectors, including local ward councillors, raised concerns about the shop's proximity to Mellows Park, where street drinking and antisocial behaviour were already a problem. They also noted the presence of benches outside the premises, which could attract gatherings, and the potential for increased noise and disturbance in the residential area. One objector said that the majority of shops in the area closed earlier, and that the later hours could attract street drinkers and young people, creating an intimidating atmosphere.
The sub-committee acknowledged the concerns raised by local residents, particularly regarding the potential for increased crime and disorder. However, they also noted that the applicant had worked with the police and offered a number of conditions to mitigate these risks. The sub-committee considered that the pricing at the premises would deter street drinkers, as included within the offered conditions. They also noted that a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was in place at Mellows Park.
Ultimately, the sub-committee decided to grant the licence, subject to the conditions proposed by the applicant. These included measures to prevent crime and disorder, such as CCTV, staff training, and a clear window policy, as well as conditions to prevent public nuisance, such as restrictions on waste collections and deliveries. The sub-committee also imposed conditions to protect children from harm, including the Challenge 25 scheme2 and a till prompt system to ensure age checks.
The sub-committee said that increased competition was not relevant to the licensing objectives, and that each application must be considered on its own merits. They also noted that a review application could be submitted if any problems arose following the grant of the licence.
The hours that the licence was granted for were reduced from those that were applied for. The applicant requested permission to sell alcohol until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, but the committee chose to limit this to 11pm.
Licensing Sub-Committee Hearings Procedure
The Licensing Sub-Committee noted the council's procedure to be followed at the meeting. The procedure note sets out how the Licensing Committee will manage its business in an efficient, fair and transparent way, and is specific to hearings under the Licensing Act 2003.
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Responsible authorities are official bodies that must be notified of licensing applications and can make representations. They include the police, fire service, and environmental health officers. ↩
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Challenge 25 is a retailing strategy that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry acceptable ID (photographic ID, a card bearing the PASS hologram, or any electronic or biometric age verification technology approved by the licensing authority) when buying alcohol. ↩
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