The Richmond upon Thames Council Licensing Sub-Committee met to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Grab & Go, a convenience store on George Street, Richmond. The committee decided to grant the licence with conditions, including reduced hours for alcohol sales, a requirement to lock away alcoholic beverages outside of licensed hours, and the use of ultraviolet pens to mark alcohol products.

Grab & Go Licensing Application

Ajmeet Dang, the owner of Grab & Go, applied for a new premises licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises at his convenience store located at 57-58 George Street, Richmond. The application requested permission to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday, but this was later amended to opening at 10am on Sundays.

The council received six representations from local residents and two from resident associations, all objecting to the application. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on public safety, crime and disorder, and public nuisance in the town centre.

The Licensing Sub-Committee ultimately agreed to grant the licence with the following conditions:

• Reduced Hours: Alcohol sales are permitted from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10pm on Sundays.
• The premises can open to the public from 8am to midnight, Monday to Thursday, 8am to 1am Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 11pm on Sundays.
• Secured Alcohol Storage: All alcoholic beverages must be secured behind locked shutters outside of permitted hours.
• Ultraviolet Marking: All alcohol products must be uniquely marked with an ultraviolet pen to show they have been supplied from the premises.
• Rugby Event Days: On rugby event days, the premises must abide by any requirements imposed by the police regarding the supply of alcohol, including potentially not selling alcohol at all during specified times.
• Staffing: There must be at least two members of staff on the shop floor at all times.
• Compliance with conditions agreed with the Metropolitan Police and conditions proposed by the applicant in the Operating Schedule.

The committee reasoned that the reduced hours and additional conditions were appropriate and proportionate to address concerns about potential disturbances and anti-social behaviour, particularly given the premises' location within the Richmond Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).

Cumulative Impact Zone

The Grab Go Committee Report noted that the premises is located within the Cumulative Impact Area for Richmond Town Centre. The council's licensing policy recognises that in such areas, the concentration of licensed premises can lead to increased nuisance and disorder.

Peter Willan, representing the Friends of Richmond Green and the Richmond Society, argued that the application was seriously lacking in any reference whatsoever to the requirements of the Cumulative Impact Zone and the Cumulative Impact Policy. He stated that it is an absolute requirement for anyone who applies for a licence within the CIZ to demonstrate that there will be no negative impact on the zone.

Paul Greeno, the legal officer, referenced the case of Brewdog versus Leeds Council, which established that a Cumulative Impact Policy should not be used to unfairly restrict new businesses while allowing existing ones to continue trading. He clarified that the committee needed to consider the specific proposals of the applicant and whether conditions could be imposed to mitigate any potential negative impacts.

Representations and Concerns

Several concerns were raised by local residents and the Richmond Society regarding the potential impact of the licence on the area. These included:

• Anti-social behaviour: Objectors expressed concerns that the increased availability of alcohol, particularly late at night, would exacerbate existing problems with anti-social behaviour, noise, and litter in the area. One resident, Claude Schmitt, stated that Richmond already experiences noticeable disruption on weekend evenings, including antisocial behaviour linked to alcohol consumption, and that a new late-night alcohol outlet risked exacerbating these issues .
• Shoplifting: Mr Willan highlighted the significant amount of shoplifting in Richmond and questioned whether the applicant's proposed measures would be sufficient to prevent theft of alcohol.
• Proximity to residential properties: Rob Whiteford, a resident of one of the flats above the commercial unit, argued that granting the licence would negatively impact the residential character of the building and the quality of life for its occupants .
• Impact on local businesses: Maria Maher suggested that the new off-licence would likely make alcohol available at lower prices, undercutting established pubs and bars and encouraging people to drink in the street.

Mr Dang addressed these concerns by highlighting his experience in managing convenience stores responsibly, his willingness to work with the police and local residents, and the various measures he would implement to prevent crime and disorder, protect children from harm, and minimise public nuisance.

Conditions and Safeguards

In addition to the conditions imposed by the Licensing Sub-Committee, Mr Dang agreed to implement a number of safeguards, including:

• Installing and maintaining a comprehensive CCTV system.
• Implementing a Challenge 25 policy to prevent underage sales.
• Training staff on responsible alcohol sales and age verification.
• Displaying alcohol away from the entrance and exits.
• Storing spirits behind the counter and out of reach of children.
• Maintaining a refusals book to record instances where alcohol sales are refused.
• Preventing deliveries of alcohol to customers off the premises.

He also stated that he was SIA trained¹ himself and would likely be present at the premises on event days.