South London Shop Seeks Alcohol License to Counter £10,000 Annual Rent Hike
A South London shop is embroiled in a critical battle to secure permission for alcohol sales, as its management reveals the business is confronting a substantial £10,000 increase in its annual rent. Umar Lal, the manager of Mobile and Vape Shop located in the bustling Clapham Junction area, has formally requested authorization to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers through the Deliveroo platform. This strategic move aims to bolster the shop's profitability during a period of escalating operational costs.
Financial Pressures Drive Licensing Application
During a recent hearing before Wandsworth Council's licensing committee, Mr. Lal articulated that the proposed alcohol delivery service is essential for the shop's survival. He disclosed that the annual rent is scheduled to surge from £45,000 to £55,000, creating significant financial strain. "We will not have as big a range of alcohol as everybody else," Mr. Lal explained. "We’re just supporting our business to increase a small amount of sales, so we will have a limited range just on the Deliveroo platform. We’re not like any big supermarket keeping everything in stock."
The shop has outlined specific operating hours for alcohol sales, proposing service from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sundays through Thursdays, and extended hours from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Initially, the application from Junction Gadget Ltd included provisions for walk-in customers, but representatives have since revised the proposal to restrict sales exclusively to Deliveroo deliveries. This adjustment was made in direct response to concerns raised by local authorities regarding potential community impacts.
Authorities Voice Strong Objections Over Crime Concerns
The Metropolitan Police and Wandsworth Council's noise and community safety officers have formally objected to the licensing application, citing apprehensions about increased anti-social behavior in the vicinity. Although authorities acknowledged that delivery-only sales present fewer risks compared to walk-in purchases, they maintained their opposition to the proposal. Belinda Loizou, a police licensing officer, highlighted alarming crime statistics for the Lavender ward, where 670 incidents were reported between June and September of the previous year. These included violence, anti-social behavior, and significant shoplifting activity.
"I believe that introducing another off-licence in this location is very likely to increase street drinking, theft and other crimes associated with it," PC Loizou stated emphatically during the committee meeting. George Parnevelas, the council's community safety officer, reinforced this position by questioning the necessity of an additional alcohol sales point. "I don’t see any compelling reason for an additional sales point for alcohol, nor do I see any additional demand that requires that," he remarked.
Cumulative Impact Zone Complicates Licensing Decision
Rob Newby-Walker, the council's senior environmental services officer, provided crucial context by noting that the shop operates within a designated Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). In such zones, licensing authorities strictly limit new alcohol licenses to prevent exacerbating existing disturbances in the community. Mr. Newby-Walker indicated that while delivery-only sales with careful conditions might alleviate some concerns, the area already suffers from sufficient alcohol availability.
In defense of the application, Surendra Panchal, representing Mr. Lal, outlined comprehensive measures the shop would implement to mitigate potential problems. These include appropriate training for all staff and delivery drivers, rigorous age verification procedures at the point of delivery, installation of a sophisticated CCTV surveillance system, and secure storage of alcohol in a restricted storeroom area. Mr. Panchal emphasized the shop's clean operational history since its 2017 opening and argued that granting the license would provide essential "economic benefit to the premises" amid rising rent and business rates.
Business Evolution and Pending Decision
Originally established as a mobile and laptop repair service, Mobile and Vape Shop has progressively diversified its offerings to include soft drinks, chewing gum, vapes, and tobacco products. These items are already available for order through Deliveroo, demonstrating the business's adaptation to changing market demands. The council's final determination regarding the alcohol delivery application is expected to be published within the coming days, marking a pivotal moment for the shop's future viability in South London's competitive retail landscape.
