An application for another off-licence premises in Harlesden comes before the Licensing Committee on Thursday August 22nd.
The premises is in Harlesden Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) which takes into account the number of similar premises in the area.
The Licensing Inspector report states:
The Statement of Licensing Policy states that any licence application in a CIZ area will need to demonstrate with evidence that its operation will not add to any cumulative impacts that the CIZ is seeking to address.
Further, new applicants and those applying for variations would be required to demonstrate how their premises will not contribute to street drinking in those areas.
The effect of adopting a CIZ is to “create a rebuttable presumption” that applications for licences which are likely to add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused (or subject to certain limitations) unless the applicant can demonstrate that there will be no negative cumulative impact on the licensing objectives.
The operating schedule fails to demonstrate that a grant will not lead to a negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives and to the contrary add to the issues of an existing saturated area.
It is on this basis, that the Licensing Authority ask that the application for a new premises licence is refused by the Licensing Sub-Committee. Adding conditions to a premises licence, in the Licensing Authority’s opinion is not adequate when the application does not demonstrate what is being put in place in order to avoid further cumulative impact. Adding an additional off licence to the eight that already exist in the immediate area, will no doubt be detrimental to the local area.
The report includes a very interesting Q & A with the applicant LINK.
The Police Representation also recommends rejection and focuses on crime in the area of Craven Park.
The Police objection states:
These crimes are based around violence, sexual offences and public order issues quite often generated by excessive alcohol consumption.
Below is a list of venues in Craven Park Road with off sales as their main licensable activity. As you can see Craven Park Road is already saturated with Off Licenses. The list below does not include restaurants and nights clubs all of which sell alcohol.
Corner Shop 98, Craven Park Parade Off License
Craven Park Off License 102, Craven Park Road Off License
Housewife Cash & Carry 14, Craven Park Road Wholesalers
Kotoko Mini Market 126, Craven Park Road Convenience Store / Off License
Metro Supermarket 72, Craven Park Road Convenience Store / Off License
Save Food and Wine 46, Craven Park Road Convenience Store / Off License
Tamirez Deli 24, Craven Park Road Convenience Store / Off License
The Liquor Store 43, Craven Park Road Off License
Who’s Next Food & Wine 6, Library Parade Off License
New Atlas Café 69-71 Craven Park Road Café / Off License
Supersave 68, Craven Park road Convenience Store / Off License
Adding another bog standard Off License to this area is not required. Doing this will just add to the ASB, street crime and public nuisance. Police are of the opinion that allowing this application to go ahead will be detrimental to all four of the licensing objectives Prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children. Therefore police oppose this application in full.
No Zero Tolerance or PSPO in place?
ReplyDeleteNot enough local police or council officers to enforce PSPOs - they only enforce outside Wembley Stadium as football fans are easy targets.
DeleteIt will be passed as always
ReplyDeleteAh crime is the poor old shopkeepers fault is it? Not council cuts or poor policing
ReplyDeleteWhen we were growing up you could only buy alcohol in pubs with limited opening hours or from the one off licence in the area - now you can buy it absolutely every where at all hours. Do we really need this constant 24 hour alcohol availability?
ReplyDeleteHow much of the money these people spend on alcohol could instead be spent on feeding their families, paying household bills, rent etc???