Ealing Council is set to renew its licensing policy with a focus on simplifying the process and addressing violence against women and girls (MVAWG). The decision was scheduled to be made at a Council meeting on 15 July 2025.
The draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2025 aims to streamline the existing policy while incorporating new sections and content. The policy also considers 'shadow licenses,' which are second or subsequent licenses for a premises where one already exists, allowing the authority to review all associated licenses if a review is instigated.
A key focus will be on Ealing's Economy After 6 PM Strategy and a dedicated section addressing the council's Strategy to Tackle Male Violence Against Women and Girls (MVAWG), alongside references to modern slavery and human trafficking issues (MSHT). The licensing policy integrates with the 'Economy After 6 PM Strategy' by aligning objectives and goals. The evidence review used to shape the strategy also informed the licensing policy. The Licensing Authority will work to build on and enhance Ealing's culture and leisure offer, including live music and comedy. There is a preference for applications for licenses from businesses and premises which help to enable a thriving culture and leisure offer in the borough. The Council will encourage applications for premises where applicants demonstrate that there will be no negative impact on the local area and that they will offer a positive contribution to the nighttime economy in line with the licensing objectives.
Other proposed changes include:
- An overview of the borough and licensed premises, mirroring Ealing's seven town profiles approach.
- A revised Special Policy section, in accordance with the findings of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA).
The areas currently designated as Special Policy Areas (SPAs) are in Southall, Greenford, Hanwell, Ealing and Acton. The rationale for potentially expanding them is that the findings of the Cumulative Impact Assessment 2025 support the expansion of these areas. The Licensing Authority believes that the number of premises licences and club premises certificates which authorise retail sale of alcohol (on, off or both) in these areas is such that it is likely that granting further licences would be inconsistent with the authority's duty to promote the licensing objectives.
- Updated considerations regarding specific policies that apply to different types of licensed premises, to reflect best practices, and two new sub-sections describing the proposed licensing approach to events, and large capacity venues and spaces.
- Clarification of the roles of responsible authorities within the Policy.
- The addition of considerations regarding shadow licenses.
- Revised and updated example conditions under the licensing objectives, following input from responsible authorities, including specific references to safeguarding, spiking, MVAWG, and delivery/online services considerations.
The Cumulative Impact Assessment 2025 examined data related to crime, anti-social behaviour, and ambulance calls to assess the effect of licensed premises on licensing objectives. The findings of the assessment supported the assertion that a high saturation of licensed premises selling alcohol had an ongoing impact on crime, nuisance, and disorder in existing Special Policy Areas (SPAs), and that there was evidence to support the expansion of the existing areas.
A consultation on the SLP2025 and CIA was carried out for five weeks, and the Consultation Response Analysis and Evaluation showed that overall, the responses were neutral or agreed with the proposed policy. Key concerns raised during the public consultation included disagreement with the proposed policy, particularly around the Special Policy Areas and core hours. Some respondents misinterpreted the policy, believing it would lead to blanket restrictions. Despite these concerns, the analysis and evaluation of consultation responses indicated that no substantive amendment was warranted to the draft SLP2025, as disagreement was roughly equally split between those who would favor a more restrictive policy and those who would favor a more permissive one.
The licensing policy promotes opportunities, flexibility, and freedoms whilst creating an accountable and responsible policy framework for operators to provide a suitable offer that should have a minimal negative impact on thriving neighbourhoods.