The Licensing Sub-Committee of Ealing Council met on Wednesday 20 May 2026 to review the premises licence for AKP Retailer, located at 51 Oldfields Circus, Northolt, UB5 4RR. The committee decided to suspend the licence for four weeks and impose additional conditions to address serious breaches of licensing objectives, including the employment of illegal workers and the sale of illicit products.

Review of AKP Retailer Licence

The Licensing Sub-Committee reviewed the premises licence for AKP Retailer, a convenience store at 51 Oldfields Circus, Northolt, UB5 4RR. The review was initiated by Ealing Council's Licensing Enforcement and Compliance Team following a joint visit with Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers on 29 November 2025.

During the visit, officers discovered a number of serious breaches of licensing regulations. These included the employment of an illegal worker, the presence of illicit tobacco and a bag suspected to contain khat, duty-diverted whisky, high-strength beers exceeding the permitted ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of 6%, and alcohol stored on the floor in breach of licence conditions. Illicit cigarettes were also found in a van parked outside the premises. The premises had also apparently expanded into an adjoining unit without notification or application for a new licence.

The Sub-Committee decided to suspend the licence for four weeks. This suspension is intended as a time-limited and targeted measure to allow the premises licence holder, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), and staff to undertake and embed adequate training and compliance measures.

In addition to the suspension, the committee modified and imposed several new conditions on the licence. Key modifications include:

• Restriction on High-Strength Alcohol: Condition 6 was amended to prohibit the sale of beer, lager, or cider above 6% ABV.
• Single Can Sales Ban: Condition 7 was modified to prevent the sale of single cans or bottles of beer, lager, cider, ale, or spirit mixtures. These products can only be sold in their original manufacturer's sealed multi-packs, which cannot be broken for individual sale. All beer, lager, and cider must also be clearly price-marked.
• Secure Alcohol Storage: Condition 9 was amended to require alcohol to be securely stored behind lockable shutters when the premises is open outside of licensed hours for the sale of alcohol.
• Organised Storage: Condition 10 was modified to ensure all alcohol is stored only in approved shelving, cabinets, secured display areas, or a suitable stockroom, and not on the floor, in aisles, or in any area obstructing safe passage.
• Refusals Register: Condition 13 was amended to require a refusals register to record every refusal of alcohol, tobacco, vapes, or other age-restricted products, including the date, time, and staff member involved. This register must be retained for at least 12 months and produced immediately upon request.
• Prominent Signage: Condition 23 was modified to require prominent signage at the entrance and points of sale, requesting customers to leave the area quietly, not to loiter outside, and not to consume alcohol outside the premises.

New conditions were also added to the licence:

• Right to Work Checks: The premises licence holder must ensure that all staff, whether paid or unpaid, permanent or temporary, have had their right to work in the UK checked in accordance with Home Office requirements before commencing work.
• Record of Right to Work Checks: Clear copies of right to work documentation for every person working at the premises, along with a record of when the check was undertaken, must be retained for the duration of employment and for a minimum of 12 months after employment ends.
• Staff Register: A register of all persons working at the premises must be kept, recording their full name, employment start date, role, and ordinary working dates and times.
• Staff Training: All staff involved in the sale, supply, storage, or supervision of alcohol must receive documented induction training before undertaking duties, and refresher training at intervals not exceeding six months. This training must cover the four licensing objectives, licence conditions, and specific requirements related to alcohol and tobacco sales.
• Proof of Purchase: No alcohol or tobacco can be purchased, accepted, or offered for sale unless documentary evidence of purchase is available. Invoices, receipts, and delivery records for all alcohol and tobacco products must be retained for at least 12 months. All alcohol purchased for sale must be obtained only from a wholesaler registered under the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS).
• Licensable Activities in New Areas: No licensable activity can take place in any adjoining, extended, or additional area unless the premises licence has been varied to include that area.

The Sub-Committee stated that the decision to suspend the licence was necessary and proportionate to interrupt licensable activities and provide a period for training and compliance. They did not consider revocation necessary at this stage, believing the licensing objectives could still be promoted through suspension and the imposed conditions. The applicant, licence holder, or any person who made relevant representations has the right to appeal the decision to the Ealing Magistrates' Court within 21 days.