The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider a review application for a premises licence. The meeting's agenda included procedural guidance and a detailed report concerning The Old Oak Tree pub in Southall.

Review Application for The Old Oak Tree

The committee was scheduled to consider a review application for the Premises Licence of The Old Oak Tree, located at The Common, Southall, UB2 5PJ. The application for review was made by Ealing Council's Licensing Compliance and Enforcement Team. The report pack detailed the licensable activities authorised by the current licence, which include the retail sale of alcohol for both on and off-site consumption, with opening hours from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 23:20, and on Sundays from 12:00 to 22:50.

The review application was based on concerns relating to three of the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. The report pack included statements from Robert Dear, a Licensing Compliance & Enforcement Officer, detailing multiple visits to the premises.

One statement described an incident on 27 November 2019, where officers observed what appeared to be sexual entertainment taking place, with a naked female performing a dance for a male customer. The report noted that no sexual entertainment venue licence was held by the premises.

Further incidents were detailed from visits on 17 November 2023 and 7 November 2025. These visits, conducted by Immigration Enforcement officers and the Metropolitan Police, reportedly encountered numerous individuals suspected of being immigration offenders and illegal workers within the premises, including in upstairs rooms, a trailer, and a caravan in the car park. During the 7 November 2025 visit, a large machete was discovered in a smoking shelter outside the premises where a group of individuals had been congregated.

The report also included a representation from Ealing Council's Environmental Health - Noise & Nuisance Team. This representation detailed numerous complaints and observations regarding loud amplified music emanating from The Old Oak Tree, often late into the night and outside of permitted hours, causing statutory noise nuisance to nearby residents. The team also noted allegations of irresponsible management, patrons congregating outside, and evidence of drug use. The representation highlighted a lack of understanding of licensing objectives and responsibilities from the premises' management and licence holder, Mrs Gurpreet Grewal.

The committee was to consider the application, representations, and Ealing Council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹ to decide whether to modify the conditions of the licence, exclude a licensable activity, suspend the licence for up to three months, revoke the licence, or leave the licence as it is.