A specialist cigar shop serving alcohol is set to open in West London after councillors on the Hillingdon Council planning committee voted in favour of the proposals on Thursday, May 28. The business, known as The Smoking Jacket, already has several stores in London, predominantly in Kensington. The new location will take over a vacant building at the Old Forge, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood.
Amended Proposals to Address Concerns
Following discussions with the council, the proposals for the Northwood Store were amended to ensure alcohol sales stop 30 minutes before the premises closes. The shop will operate Monday to Thursday from 10am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am to midnight, and Sunday from 9am to 11pm. The capacity will be limited to 12 people inside and 12 people outside in a garden area.
The proposed Designated Premises Supervisor, Sonal Metha, told the committee that the establishment is “not a bar or nightclub,” but rather “a place where people can explore and experience luxury retail products.” She emphasized that the intention is to provide a quiet, experience-led setting for cigar and whisky appreciation within a controlled, predominantly seated environment.
Objections from Residents and Associations
Several objections were raised by nearby residents and local residents' associations, who expressed concerns that the shop would impose on the residential area. Michael Addison, a local resident, stated: “While our view is that there is no demand for this establishment locally, there is a risk that a much greater percentage of people will want to consume alcohol on the premises especially after 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.”
The Northwood Residents’ Association echoed similar concerns, noting that the use is different from a pub where groups go and one person stays alcohol-free. They worried about individual customers smoking outside, drinking, and then driving, as there are unlikely to be enough customers for cigars within walking distance.
Leaseholders at the nearby True Lovers Court also raised alarms, with a letter stating: “The potential for noise, even from a small group, can still impact the surrounding neighbourhood, especially during very late-night operations. The idea of a calm and controlled environment does not fully alleviate the possibility of disturbances.”
Applicant's Response and Council Decision
Responding to these concerns, Sonal Mehta asserted that the business is primarily a retail environment, with approximately 60% of activity dedicated to cigar sales and 30% to the sale of premium wines and spirits for off-premises consumption. She emphasized that the space is designed for low capacity, seated, and calm, with no external speakers. To address concerns, she offered to actively monitor external areas and accept an additional condition requiring outdoor drinkers to be seated.
At the end of the hearing, Councillor Darran Davies thanked attendees for what he described as “one of the best representations I think we have seen for a long time.” The committee approved the premises subject to 13 additional conditions, including holding working CCTV, displaying signage urging people to keep quiet when leaving, maintaining an incident log, and limiting the site to no more than 24 people at a time.
