The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Amigos Burgers and Shakes. A significant number of objections were received from residents and local groups, raising concerns about crime, disorder, public nuisance, and public safety.

Amigos Burgers and Shakes, 352 North End Road, London SW6 1NB

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence for Amigos Burgers and Shakes, located at 352 North End Road, London SW6 1NB. The applicant, Primyra Ventures Ltd, sought to offer late-night refreshment both indoors and outdoors, with proposed hours for public access from 12:00 to 02:00 daily. The application also requested late-night refreshment hours from 23:00 to 02:00.

Following discussions with the Police, the applicant agreed to revised hours for indoor late-night refreshment, proposing 23:00 to 00:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and 23:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Outdoor late-night refreshment was still proposed from 23:00 to 02:00.

A comprehensive operating schedule was proposed by the applicant, detailing steps to promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. This included measures such as CCTV installation, maintaining daily incident logs, staff training, and prominent notices for customers and delivery drivers.

However, the application attracted a substantial number of objections from residents and local organisations, including the Felden Street and Swift Street Residents Association, various Neighbourhood Watch groups, and numerous individual residents. Key concerns raised in these representations included:

• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Many objectors cited the North End Road area as a designated crime hotspot by the Metropolitan Police. Concerns were raised that extended hours would attract intoxicated individuals, potentially leading to violence, an increase in street crime, and attracting drug dealers. The lapse of the Fulham Broadway Cumulative Impact Policy¹ was also highlighted as a factor increasing vulnerability.
• Prevention of Public Nuisance: Objections frequently mentioned anticipated noise from customers and delivery drivers, particularly during late-night hours. Residents expressed worries about increased littering, anti-social behaviour such as public urination, and the general disruption to the peace and quiet of this densely residential area. The noise from delivery scooters and their potential to use residential streets as cut-throughs was a recurring theme.
• Public Safety: Concerns were raised about the safety of residents, especially women and children, due to the potential for increased loitering, intimidation, and the general atmosphere created by late-night activity in a predominantly residential neighbourhood.
• Protection of Children from Harm: Several representations highlighted the potential for disrupted sleep for children living in the flats above and near the premises, which could negatively impact their health, well-being, and educational attainment. The issue of childhood obesity was also raised in relation to the proliferation of fast-food outlets.
• Cumulative Impact: Objectors argued that the area already has a high density of licensed premises and late-night food outlets, and that granting further extensions would create an unacceptable cumulative impact on the local community.
• Compliance with Policy: Many representations pointed out that the requested hours significantly exceeded the recommended closing times outlined in the Hammersmith & Fulham Statement of Licensing Policy (SLP)² for mixed-use and residential areas.
• Allegations of Illegal Trading: Some objectors claimed that Amigos Burgers and Shakes had been observed trading beyond their existing permitted hours, and even beyond the hours they were applying for, prior to the hearing. This raised questions about the applicant's understanding of and adherence to licensing laws.

The supplementary agendas included additional information from objectors, detailing specific incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime in the vicinity, including the use of Section 35 dispersal orders³ by the Metropolitan Police in the area. Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)⁴ already in place within the borough were also referenced to illustrate the extent of anti-social behaviour issues. Evidence was also presented regarding a previous decision by the Licensing Sub-Committee to reject a similar application for Kaspa's Desserts, citing many of the same resident concerns.

The report pack also contained correspondence between the Licensing Authority and the applicant regarding potential breaches of trading hours and advertising of operating times on third-party platforms.