A new premises licence application for Gurjas Food & Wine at 86 The Green, Southall, has sparked concerns from the Ealing Police Licensing Team, who fear it could exacerbate existing crime and safety issues in the area. The area has a high concentration of off-licence premises, with Southall Green having the highest density at 20.2 per km2.
The application, submitted by Mr Jasmeet Singh Kapoor, seeks permission for an Indian grocery store and off-licence to sell alcohol for off-site consumption between 08:00 and 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 to 22:30 on Sundays.
However, the Ealing Police Licensing Team has submitted a representation objecting to the application, citing concerns relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The police note that the premises is located within a Special Policy Area (SPA), which was established because the area is significantly affected by crime, anti-social behaviour, and nuisance, more so than other areas in the borough. The London Ambulance Service also has a high volume of alcohol-related calls to this area. The Public reports pack includes the full representation from the Ealing Police Licensing Team.
The representation included a witness statement from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Czeslaw Rush, a Dedicated Ward Officer as part of Southall Green Safer Neighbourhood Team, who stated:
With the start of the summer months there has been an uptake of anti-social behaviour related to drugs and alcohol as well as various Violence Against Women and Girl (VAWG) incidents where females have been either reporting how unsafe they feel or have reported sexual touching incidents. A lot of incidents have brought up concerns of subjects under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. Southall as a cluster has issues with subjects street drinking and blatantly ignoring Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) signs where it has been shown drinking in public areas are prohibited. Comments have been made where local residents do not feel safe allowing their children to be playing in the local parks for the same concerns.
The representation also includes excerpts from police reports detailing incidents of public defecation, drug dealing, and large groups of people congregating to drink alcohol in Manor House Grounds.
The police also raised concerns about Mr Kapoor's relationship with Mr Paramjit Singh Grover, who was previously refused a premises licence for a similar business in Hanwell. They noted Mr Grover is known to the Police licensing team for non-compliance of his premises licence, mainly for operating over hours and for allowing people to congregate outside of the premises once closed which has resulted in fights previously. On 10/11/2023, police visited Mr. Grover's venue at 00:30hrs and found it still operating after closing time with loud music. Mr. Grover stated a birthday party was in progress and he didn't believe it was an issue as alcohol was no longer being served and it was drinking up time,
despite the premises not being licensed for regulated entertainment. Further breaches have included serving alcohol after hours, incorrect CCTV time, and having only one SIA security staff member on duty when the licence requires two.
If the licensing sub-committee is minded to grant the licence, the Ealing Police Licensing Team has suggested several conditions, including:
- Alcohol is to be stored behind lockable shutters when the premises is open at times that alcohol cannot be sold.
- Alcohol is not to be stored on the shop floor and any surplus stock is to be kept in a secure stock room.
- Sale of alcohol for off premises is to conform to the London Borough of Ealing's core hours.
The police object to the application outright, stating that the area is well-known for street drinkers and is already saturated with convenience stores selling alcohol.
The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider the application at a virtual meeting. The Agenda frontsheet for the meeting also includes a Panel Procedure Guidance Note outlining the procedure to be followed at Licensing Sub Committee Hearings.
The decision will either be given at the conclusion of the meeting (and confirmed in writing within five working days) or provided in writing within five working days. If the application is rejected, the applicant may appeal to a magistrate's court within 21 days. Similarly, those who made relevant representations may appeal the decision to grant the licence, or argue for different or additional conditions, within 21 days.
