The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council scheduled a meeting to take place on Monday, 11 August 2025 to discuss a new premises licence for Gurjas Food & Wine and to review panel procedure guidance. The meeting was scheduled to be held virtually and was available to be viewed via a live webcast on the council's YouTube channel.

New Premises Licence for Gurjas Food & Wine

The main item on the agenda was a discussion of an application made by Mr Jasmeet Singh Kapoor for a new premises licence for Gurjas Food & Wine at 86 The Green, Southall, UB2 4BG.

The application was for the retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises, with the following hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 08:00 - 23:00
• Sunday: 10:00 - 22:30

The report pack noted that the premises is located within a Special Policy Area (SPA) as defined in the council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

Representations

The Ealing Police Licensing Team submitted a representation raising concerns about the application with respect to all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The police stated that the premises is located in a busy area with other businesses and licensed premises, as well as residential properties, and that the area is subject to a Public Spaces Protection Order¹. They also noted that Southall is known to be a problematic area for street drinking, which leads to anti-social behaviour.

The police representation included concerns that the area around Manor House Grounds, which is directly opposite the proposed premises, is a hotspot for street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour. The police quoted reports from members of the public, including one stating that an alleyway next to The Green had become a hotspot for drug and alcohol-related activity and that it was common to see groups of up to 10 individuals loitering under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The police also raised concerns about the applicant, Mr Jasmeet Singh Kapoor, noting that the contact details provided on the application were the same as those used in a previous application for a premises licence for Bocian Supermarket in Hanwell, which was refused. The police also stated that Mr Paramjit Singh Grover, who was the applicant for the Bocian Supermarket licence, is known to the police for non-compliance with his premises licence at Lavish Lounge, and questioned the relationship between Mr Kapoor and Mr Grover.

The police suggested a number of conditions that could be added to the licence if it was granted, including:

• Alcohol is to be stored behind lockable shutters when the premises is open at times that alcohol cannot be sold.
• Alcohol is not to be stored on the shop floor and any surplus stock is to be kept in a secure stock room.
• Sale of alcohol for off premises is to conform to the London Borough of Ealing's core hours.

The police concluded by objecting to the application outright, stating that the area is already saturated with convenience stores selling alcohol and that granting another licence would only increase anti-social behaviour.

PCSO Czeslaw Rush, a Dedicated Ward Officer as part of Southall Green Safer Neighbourhood Team, also provided a witness statement outlining concerns about anti-social behaviour, drug use and sexual offences occurring around The Green. PCSO Rush stated that, in their professional opinion, the area does not need another licensed premises due to the vast amount of street drinking that occurs in Southall.

Applicant Details

The application form states that Mr Jasmeet Singh Kapoor is applying as an individual and that he is carrying on or proposing to carry on a business which involves the use of the premises for licensable activities.

The application describes the premises as an Indian grocery store and off licence. The proposed licensing activity is the retail sale of alcohol, with the hours as noted above.

The steps Mr Kapoor stated he intended to take to promote the four licensing objectives² included:

• Implementing a Challenge 25 policy.
• Installing CCTV with a 31-day recording system.
• Training all staff in responsible alcohol retailing.

The application also included a number of proposed conditions relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, including requirements for CCTV, restrictions on the sale of high-strength alcohol and single cans, and a ban on Mr Manmum Singh Babar, Mr Sandeep Singh Babar and Mr Nirvair Singh Rajwansee from the premises.

Panel Procedure Guidance Note

The committee was also scheduled to review a Panel Procedure Guidance Note, which outlines the procedure to be followed at Licensing Sub-Committee Hearings. The note states that the procedure to be followed at hearings will be outlined by Councillor Julian Gallant, Chair of the Licensing Sub-Committee at the beginning of each hearing. It also states that parties to the hearing can be represented by a friend or legal adviser who acts as their spokesperson.