Agenda item

This is an application for a licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to TFC Burnt Oak Broadway, 104 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, HA8 0BE (the “Premises”). 

The application is for the supply of alcohol off the premises Monday to Saturday 07:00 hours to 22:00 hours and Sunday 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours.

The Premises are situated within the Cumulative Impact Zone (“CIZ”) for Burnt Oak. In accordance with its “Statement of Licensing Policy”, there is the presumption that the application will be refused.  A ‘rebuttal presumption’ is applied to all new premises licence applications within the CIZ unless the Applicant can demonstrate that the Premises will not have a negative impact on the licensing objectives.  The Sub-Committee can only supersede the CIZ in genuinely exceptional circumstances.

Given the current COVID 19 pandemic, the licensing Sub-Committee was held by way of a virtual Teams Meeting.   Submissions were made by Mr Toby Lewin-Lloyd, of Ucar Properties representatives for the Applicant, Ms Ercan Ucar, client representative for the Applicant, and Zekiel Cudjoe for the Licensing Authority. 

Representations were received from the Licensing Authority acting as a responsible authority and a Ward Councillor.  No other representations were received from any other responsible authorities or members of the public.  No objections were received from the Police due to the Applicant having agreed a number of conditions prior to the hearing. 

Both the Licensing Authority and Cllr Conway made representations in respect of Burnt Oak being subject to a Cumulative Impact Zone and the local concerns specific to Burnt Oak.  Burnt Oak is also subject to a Public Spaces Protection Order which aims to prevent alcohol related ASB in public places.   The CIZ was introduced in January 2020 due to concerns regarding substance misuse (including alcohol), ASB and littering caused by street drinkers.   It is considered to be an effective way of preventing alcohol related problems in the area.

The Sub-Committee must consider whether or not the Applicant can positively promote the licensing objectives in the local area.  Mr Toby Lewin-Lloyd, representative for the Applicant, advised the Panel that the Premises will be a family focused food store with specialised alcohol sales.  It is envisaged that the Premises will attract families carrying out their weekly grocery shop and not individuals for ad hoc alcohol purchases. 

In terms of demonstrating reasons why the Premises meets the exceptional circumstances threshold, Mr Lewin-Lloyd advised that the store will be of high quality and will help to regenerate the area, as their stores in Waltham Cross and Leytonstone have done.  He advised that the Applicant would work closely with the local authority and Police in order to make it work.  Unfortunately, Mr Lewin-Lloyd could not advise the Panel of what the proportion of sales amounted to alcohol.

Mr Lewin-Lloyd explained that the Applicant had worked closely with other local authorities to reduce the negative impact on the licensing objectives, this is conduct expected of all licensed premises.  Furthermore, the conditions agreed with the Police do not make this an exceptional case, these are conditions that are common to most supermarkets.

The Sub-Committee has considered all written and oral representations, as well as the relevant statutory legislation, statutory guidance, licensing objectives and Barnet’s Licensing Policy.

Having had sight of the Applicant’s letter dated 12^th February 2021 and heard from Mr Lewin-Lloyd, the Sub-Committee recognises that the Premises are a family focused food store specialising in international products and specialised alcohol sales.  Notwithstanding, the serious alcohol related issues within the Burnt Oak CIZ are not unfounded.  Subsequently, the Sub-Committee is not satisfied that the exceptional circumstances threshold has been met and that the Premises will not have a negative impact on the CIZ. 

Therefore taking all things in to account, the panel is of the view that the Applicant has not demonstrated that there are exceptional circumstances to grant the premises licence contrary to the CIZ.

Right to Appeal

Any party aggrieved with the decision of the Licensing Panel on one or more grounds set out in schedule 5 of Licensing Act 2003 may appeal to the Magistrate’s Court within 21 days of notification of this decision.