Iceland has withdrawn its bid to extend alcohol delivery hours to 24 hours a day at its Romford store.
The application to vary the premises licence for Iceland Foods Limited at 10 Farnham Road, Romford, was withdrawn by the applicant just before a hearing by Havering's Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The proposed variation would have allowed the sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption around the clock, with sales between 11 pm and 7 am intended solely for online delivery fulfilment. The store itself would have remained closed to the public after 11 pm.
The application was made by Iceland Foods Limited and received by Havering's Licensing Authority on May 18, 2026. The premises is located within the Gooshays Cumulative Impact Zone, an area identified as experiencing cumulative impacts from licensed premises that may be undermining licensing objectives.
The Licensing Authority had made a representation against the application, citing concerns that 24-hour deliveries could undermine the objectives of preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance. These concerns were amplified by the area's known issues with street drinking and drug use, and the presence of residential properties directly above the shop.
Specifically, the Licensing Authority worried that permitting deliveries from the front of the premises may undermine the licensing objectives, specifically the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.
They elaborated that allowing deliveries to take place from the front of the premises, particularly during the early hours, may present opportunities for opportunistic crime, including theft or unauthorised access to the premises. In addition, regular vehicle movement associated with deliveries, including engines idling on the high street, has the potential to give rise to disturbance for local residents, thereby contributing to public nuisance.
The immediate vicinity is known to experience issues relating to street drinking and drug use. This context heightened the Licensing Authority's concern about the application for 24-hour alcohol deliveries, especially given that residential properties are located directly above the commercial properties.
While the Licensing Authority had proposed a condition that all alcohol deliveries between 11 pm and 7 am should be made via the rear entrance on West Dene Drive to minimise disruption, the applicant ultimately withdrew the application.
There were no representations against this application from residents or businesses. However, there was one representation against this application from a responsible authority, namely the Licensing Authority.
As the application was withdrawn, the Sub-Committee made no decisions on the matter. The hearing was still required to proceed due to the timing of the withdrawal, which was less than 24 hours before the scheduled start. The meeting information indicates that The hearing was required to proceed as the notification was received less than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing time.
Further details regarding the licensing application and the committee's agenda can be found in the Supplementary Agenda, the Public Reports Pack, and the Agenda Frontsheet for the June 30, 2026, Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.