The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Thursday 13 November 2025 to consider two applications related to the Costcutter premises at 14-20 Farr Avenue, Barking. The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for the Costcutter store, which was refused. Subsequently, the committee considered an application to transfer the existing premises licence and resolved to remove one of the current licence holders.

New Premises Licence Application for Costcutter Refused

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Costcutter, located at 14-20 Farr Avenue, Barking, IG11 0NZ. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol from Monday to Sunday, between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Representations against the application were received from the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Alcohol Licensing Team. Both authorities raised concerns regarding the prevention of crime and disorder, citing previous issues at the premises. The Home Office highlighted the employment of illegal workers and breaches of licence conditions, which had led to the revocation of the existing premises licence on 28 August 2025. The Metropolitan Police echoed these concerns, stating they had no confidence that the applicant, Caglar Garip, could uphold the licensing objectives due to past conduct.

The applicant's agent, David Dadds, argued that Caglar Garip was not personally culpable for the actions of the company, Garip Superstore Limited, which had received a civil penalty for employing illegal workers. He emphasised that Caglar Garip was a person of good character with no criminal convictions and that robust conditions, including training through Licensing Connect, had been proposed to ensure future compliance.

Following consideration, the subcommittee resolved to refuse the application, stating they were not satisfied the licensing objectives will be promoted in granting this application. The applicant has the right to appeal this decision to the Magistrates' Court.

Transfer Application for Costcutter Licence

Following the refusal of the new premises licence, the committee then considered an application to transfer the existing premises licence for Garip Superstore T/A Costcutter. The application sought to remove Ismail Garip as a premises licence holder, leaving Caglar Garip as the sole licence holder.

The Metropolitan Police again made a representation against this application, reiterating their concerns about Caglar Garip's suitability as a licence holder due to the previous revocation of the licence and the circumstances surrounding it. They argued that Caglar Garip, as a current licence holder at the time of the offences, had a responsibility that was not adequately fulfilled.

The applicant's agent, David Dadds, argued that the transfer was a necessary step to allow the business to continue trading while an appeal against the licence revocation was pending. He reiterated that Caglar Garip was a person of good character and that the previous issues were primarily the responsibility of his father, Ismail Garip, who was the sole director and shareholder of the company at the time. He also highlighted that the Home Office had not objected to the transfer application.

Following consideration, the subcommittee resolved to transfer the licence, specifically to remove Ismail Garrup as a premises license holder. The subcommittee clarified that this decision was not an endorsement of Caglar Garrup as the sole license holder but rather agreeing to the removal of Ismail Garrup as a license holder. This decision also allows for an appeal to the Magistrates' Court.