The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to meet on 28 July 2025 to consider applications for premises licences for Top's Pizza and Swanscombe News. Councillor Callum Nimmo, Vice-Chair, and Councillor Dominic Stanton were scheduled to be in attendance.

Top's Pizza, 74 Fulham Palace Road

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Top's Pizza at 74 Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 9PL. The applicant, Tops Pizza Limited, sought permission to supply alcohol on the premises between 11:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday, and to provide late night refreshment (indoors and outdoors) between 23:00 and 03:00, with deliveries only between 01:00 and 03:00. The report pack noted that the applicant had volunteered conditions including closing to the public after 01:00, displaying a notice outlining opening hours, and drawing an opaque blind over the shop windows and door from 01:00 until opening.

The licensing section had received 10 representations, all objecting to the licence application. These came from:

• A representative of Tournay Road Neighbourhood Watch Group.
• A representative of Barclay Road Conservation Area Neighbourhood Watch.
• A representative of Walham Green Ward Panel.
• A representative of Crabtree Estate Residents Association.
• Five individual residential objectors.
• Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith and Chiswick).

An additional comment from an objector at 33 Delaford Street, was also provided in the supplementary agenda. The objector raised concerns about the impact of late night opening on crime and antisocial behaviour in the neighbourhood, and the disturbance to residents from customers and delivery drivers. They also questioned how the instruction for drivers to wait inside and only use electric bikes would be enforced. The objector stated:

Residents have the right to a good night's sleep, especially from midnight onwards, with lack of sleep contributing to both physical and mental health issues. Children need plenty of sleep to aid their growth and education.

The applicant's agent, Hildigar Cameron, had responded to the representations, stating that the premises would close to the public at 01:00, alcohol would not be sold in open containers, a rubbish bin would be provided, a staff member would carry out litter patrols, and delivery drivers would be instructed to use their vehicles responsibly.

The report pack for the meeting included the LSC Report Tops Pizza, the Application Form DPS Consent Form Proposed Premises Plan, the Previous Premises Licence Plan 2024-00498-LAPR, the Location Map and Nearby Premises, and the Representations Public.

Swanscombe News, 4 Swanscombe Road

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Swanscombe News, 4 Swanscombe Road, London, W11 4SX. The applicant, Mr Dipesh Patel, sought permission to supply alcohol (off the premises) between 08:00 and 23:00, Monday to Saturday, and between 10:00 and 23:00 on Sundays. The applicant also requested non-standard timings for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and Notting Hill Carnival, from 08:00 to 02:00 the next day.

The licensing section had received four representations, all objecting to the licence application. These came from:

• One objector (owner of a neighbouring property).
• One residential objector.
• The Metropolitan Police (as a Responsible Authority).
• Councillor Umeh (Shepherds Bush Green Ward).

The Metropolitan Police objected to the application on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder. They stated that the premises was located within the ward of Shepherds Bush Green, which was experiencing high levels of anti-social behaviour often linked to alcohol. They also raised concerns about the applicant's request for non-standard timings for Notting Hill Carnival, stating that the premises was located on the border of the carnival footprint and would be passed by many attending the event, which often sees high intoxication levels.

Councillor Umeh also objected to the proposed operating hours, stating that there were residential flats situated directly above the shop, and she had previously received numerous complaints from those residents regarding excessive noise emanating from the premises.

The applicant had responded to the representations, stating that they were committed to upholding all four licensing objectives and were prepared to strengthen their operating schedule with additional conditions, including a prohibition of high strength alcohol, comprehensive staff training, a CCTV system, a refusals log, signage, and litter management.

The report pack for the meeting included the LSC Report Swanscombe News, the Application Form and Proposed Plan, the Location Plan Nearby Premises, the Representations Public, the Police Representation, the Applicant Response to Police and Residential Objections, and the Further Comments from Objectors Public.