Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee has refused an application for a new off-licence at 114 Uxbridge Road, a former beauty salon on the corner with Caxton Road, following 93 objections from residents and responsible authorities concerned about worsening street drinking and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The application, filed by Delprit Singh Arora, sought permission to sell alcohol from 8am until 11pm Monday to Sunday. It went before the sub-committee this week, where members voted to refuse the submission.
Police and residents raise concerns
PC Charlotte Bennett, of the Met Police’s licensing team, wrote that approving the application “would result in a further premises selling alcohol within an area that is already experiencing significant issues associated with alcohol consumption, street drinking and anti-social behaviour”. She described street drinking as a “persistent and highly visible problem” and said she fears a new off-licence would simply add to the issue.
PC Samuel Locking, a local ward officer, backed PC Bennett’s objection, writing: “From a moral perspective we have a duty to safeguard vulnerable persons and individuals suffering from alcohol addiction fall into this category. Providing another venue as to where they can get their alcohol is not responsible. I see firsthand the devastating impact of addiction as it ruins all aspects of people’s lives.”
More than 80 representations were submitted by locals, alongside an objection on behalf of the Caxton Village Tenants and Residents Association (CVTRA). Supported by 84 residents, the association raised concerns about the existing concentration of licensed premises and the location of 114 Uxbridge Road.
Residents describe impact of street drinking
One resident, who submitted an individual representation, wrote they were “increasingly concerned” about how difficult it feels to walk around the area with their child. “The combination of people drinking and congregating, antisocial behaviour, drug-related activity and general disorder means that I often do not feel comfortable walking through the area, particularly at certain times of day.”
Carol Fregiste-Thomas, Community Safety Officer (North) at the council, said: “This premises has never been an off-licence before. It will be a totally new kind of entity in this area. It will attract people coming there and most of them would go along Caxton Road to either drink their alcohol after they’ve bought it from the premises or remain in the area to drink.”
Catherine Tomaselli, an objecting resident, said locals regularly deal with alcohol-related ASB. “We are constantly ushering people off of the front of our houses, from our basements, and it's quite scary, so overall as fellow members have said there are so many outlets selling alcohol. The fact the borough is even considering another outlet in such close proximity to all the other ones just adds to the behaviour. It’s very worrying.”
Applicant’s offer to reduce hours rejected
Lucy Goodman, from the CVTRA, said the effects of street drinking are “far from inconsequential” for residents. She told members: “We are not simply talking about occasional noise or litter or people gathering in the street. We are talking about behaviour that can fundamentally affect how people live, how they use their neighbourhood and whether they feel safe entering or leaving their homes.”
Surendra Panchal, the applicant’s agent, proposed reducing the licensed hours from 11pm to 9pm, which he said represented a substantial reduction. He noted other nearby premises remain open and selling alcohol until much later, and that mitigations such as a CCTV poster would be implemented.
Adrian Overton, Licensing Team Manager at Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said even with the proposed reduction in hours the area remains saturated with off-licences. The other responsible authorities, including the police, reiterated that the problem is not necessarily the hours, with alcohol still able to be sold during the day.
Ms Goodman highlighted that the premises is directly opposite a pedestrian crossing, making it easy to buy alcohol and take it onto Shepherd’s Bush Green. “It will end up being the premises that is closer than any other to the access to the green, to where they are drinking.” Mr Panchal said the applicant understands the location is “challenging”, but asked the committee to consider the reduced hours. Members voted to refuse the application.
