Northwood Hills Supermarket has had its street trading licence renewed for a further six months, but with new conditions imposed to address concerns over public safety and nuisance.
The Hillingdon Council Licensing Sub-Committee made the decision on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after considering an objection from the Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Response Team. The objection was raised on the grounds of alleged misconduct or unscrupulous behaviour during the licence period, concerns regarding the size of the trading area, potential obstruction to pedestrians, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance.
Complaints relating to the vicinity of the business were received between June and July 2026. Environmental Enforcement Officers visited the site on 7th July 2026, and evidence was gathered between July and August 2026. The team had raised issues including delivery vehicles obstructing the pavement, pallets and crates blocking the footpath, and the use of an external watermelon-cutting station.
During the hearing, the supermarket's representative, Mr Mohammed Uzman, acknowledged previous problems and stated that modifications had been made. These include relocating the cutting station inside the premises, ensuring delivery vehicles use the rear of the building or designated parking bays, and maintaining a minimum of two metres of clear footway.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Response Team had objected to the external cutting station due to concerns about a knife being observed in an open and publicly accessible area, posing a potential risk to public safety. Environmental Enforcement Officers had also raised concerns regarding the safety of the unattended cutting station, which has now been relocated inside the premises.
Mr Asif Akram, ASB Community Response Officer, detailed complaints received, highlighting instances of delivery vans mounting the pavement and pallets obstructing the footpath. He noted that environmental enforcement officers had issued warnings and Fixed Penalty Notices.
Delivery drivers have been instructed to purchase parking tickets and use designated parking bays. The applicant's representative stated that alternative space was available at the rear of the premises and that deliveries would be unloaded from that location if front parking bays were unavailable. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with this policy lies with the licence holder and their management team.
The Sub-Committee decided to grant the licence renewal with three additional conditions: all deliveries must be made via the rear of the premises, no obstructions related to the licensed activity will be permitted on the public highway, and no produce preparation or cutting stations will be operated outside the premises.
These conditions were deemed necessary and proportionate to safeguard public safety and prevent public nuisance. The licence holder was reminded of the importance of strict compliance, with a warning that future breaches could lead to enforcement action, including licence revocation.
In the event of future breaches, enforcement action could include the issue of warnings, fixed penalty notices, licence review proceedings, or prosecution.
A permanent street trading licence typically lasts for one year. This licence was renewed for a shorter period of six months because discretionary grounds for refusal had been identified, and the Sub-Committee decided to grant a licence for a shorter period as a modification. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack and Printed minutes from the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.
