North Finchley residents have voiced their opposition to a new premises licence application from Vsands Trading Ltd, seeking to sell alcohol at 803 High Road. The proposed location is near several existing establishments that already sell alcohol, including Nicks Supermarket (two doors down), Confags newsagent, a Sainsbury's and a Tesco Express across the road.
The application, considered by the Barnet Council Licensing Sub-Committee on Thursday 14 August 2025, requests permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 10:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday. The applicant also seeks to open the premises to the public from 07:00 to 23:30 daily. The application includes non-standard hours for Boxing Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve/Day, and Bank Holidays, extending sales to 01:00.
Ms Nakato Kiwana, a local resident, submitted a representation objecting to the application. Her concerns included potential increases in crime, nuisance, threats to public safety, and the protection of children from harm. Ms. Kiwana highlighted the existing presence of several establishments selling alcohol in the area. She expressed fears that another convenience store selling alcohol could worsen anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.
Ms. Kiwana stated that:
...there are a number of motorbike delivery drivers and bad elements attracted to North Finchley and using the premise of buying alcohol from these shops to hang around and commit crimes phone snatching etc, they crowd the pavement making it difficult to go past and also make women feel intimidated when there are gangs of young lads hanging around underage and clearly drinking alcohol
To address concerns about underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, the police and the applicant have agreed to several conditions, including operating a Challenge 21/25 proof of age scheme, installing and maintaining a comprehensive CCTV system, and maintaining an incident log to record crimes, ejections, complaints, incidents of disorder, and refusals of alcohol sales.
PC Vicky Wilcock of the Metropolitan Police Licensing North West Area, communicated an agreement between the police and the applicant regarding conditions to be attached to the premises licence. These conditions include:
- Adherence to Barnet Council's core hours policy for alcohol sales, except where a seasonal variation is in place.
- Installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system.
- A staff member conversant with the CCTV system to be present at all times when the premises is open.
- Maintenance of an incident log to record crimes, ejections, complaints, incidents of disorder, CCTV faults, refusals of alcohol sales, and visits by authorities or emergency services.
- Operation of a Challenge 21/25 proof of age scheme.
- Maintenance of the premises, including escape routes and emergency equipment, in good condition.
- Implementation of measures to prevent litter and waste accumulation outside the premises.
- Restrictions on noise levels emanating from the premises.
- Restrictions on delivery times to the premises.
- A ban on loudspeakers in the entrance lobby or outside the building.
- Display of notices requesting patrons to respect local residents.
- A publicly available telephone number for the manager at the premises.
- A ban on the sale of single cans of beers, lagers, or ciders with an ABV above 6.5%.
- Shutters on self-service display shelves to prevent access to alcohol outside of permitted hours.
- Storage of all spirits behind the till counter.
- A ban on the sale of miniature (5cl) spirits.
The Licensing Sub-Committee, consisting of Councillors Claire Farrier, Caroline Stock and Andrea Bilbow OBE, followed a specific procedure during the hearing, based on regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Licensing Act 2003. The procedure was intended to ensure natural justice and a fair hearing, as outlined in the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearings Procedure document.
The agenda for the meeting included the appointment of a chair, declarations of interest, and consideration of the report on the Vsands Trading Ltd application. The committee was scheduled to deliberate in private before announcing its decision.
The Licensing Sub-Committee will announce its decision either at the end of the hearing or within five working days. The meeting information does not contain the decision itself.
Should the application be unsuccessful, Vsands Trading Ltd has the right to appeal to Willesden Magistrates' Court within 21 days of notification. The Court may either dismiss the appeal, substitute for the decision appealed against any other decision which could have been made by the Licensing Authority or remit the case to the Licensing Authority to dispose of it in accordance with the directions of the court and can make such order as to costs as it thinks fit.
