The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council granted a new premises licence for Royal Express, located at 12 Faircross Parade, Longbridge Road, Barking. This decision followed an amendment to the original application, which reduced the proposed hours for alcohol sales.

Royal Express Premises Licence Application

The primary business of the meeting was to consider an application for a new premises licence for Royal Express, 12 Faircross Parade, Longbridge Road, Barking, IG11 8UN. The applicant, Kajian Sivasuthan, initially sought to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide late-night refreshment from 11pm to 5am daily.

Representations against the application were received from the Metropolitan Police and the Council's Licensing Department. Both raised concerns regarding the potential impact on the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The Metropolitan Police, represented by PC Owen Dunn, highlighted that this was the third attempt by the premises to obtain a 24-hour alcohol licence, with a previous application being refused less than a year prior. Concerns were raised about the premises' proximity to Barking Abbey School and a public park, suggesting that 24-hour alcohol sales could exacerbate existing issues with anti-social behaviour, street drinking, and potential risks to children. The police also noted that the premises had recently breached a condition on its existing licence regarding the number of children permitted on the premises.

The Council's Licensing Authority, represented by Samina Baloch, echoed these concerns. They pointed out that the premises is located in a sensitive area with residential properties nearby and that 24/7 alcohol sales could lead to increased drunkenness, crime, disorder, and public nuisance. The authority also highlighted the previous breach of a child protection condition as evidence of potential management issues.

However, at the start of the hearing, the applicant's agent, David Dadds, proposed an amendment to the application. The revised proposal was to limit the sale of alcohol to between 9am and 2am daily, while the premises would still be open to the public 24 hours a day.

Following this amendment, both the Metropolitan Police and the Council's Licensing Department withdrew their objections. The police stated they had no objection to the amended hours, as the premises already effectively operated until around 2am. The Licensing Authority also confirmed their withdrawal of representation based on the agreed reduction in alcohol sales hours.

The Licensing Subcommittee, chaired by Councillor Sabbir Zamee, considered the revised application and the withdrawn objections. They resolved to grant the application for the premises licence with the amended hours for alcohol sales, which will supersede the existing licence. The decision was announced by the legal advisor, Jake Cross.