Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was agreed that all items were marked Part I and would therefore be considered in public.

None.

Introduction by the Licensing Officer:

Mr Steve Dormer, Licensing Officer at the London Borough of Hillingdon, introduced the report relating to an application for a one-metre Temporary Street Trading Shop Front Licence for 12 months at Emporium food Centre, 9-15 Station Road, West Drayton, UB7 7BT, from the applicant, Mr Emrah Gencer, and assistant, Mirkan Senpalit.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the application sought to display fruit and vegetable produce up to one metre to the front of the property, but local residents had contacted Ward Councillors to raise concerns about the premises, regarding unlicensed street trading, stock laying on pavement when deliveries were made to the premises and poor waste management arrangements.

A first premises visit by Mr Dormer noted that fire exits and gangways inside the building were blocked, there was a lack of suitable waste receptacles, and waste was being disposed of inadequately, as disposing them to the rear of Drayton Tandoori was not acceptable.

Mr Dormer commented that two penalty notices had previously been issued to the premises, and on a second visit to Emporium Food Centre, the premises was considered to be much tidier to the rear, but trading was still taking place despite no licence being issued.

Representation by the Applicant:

Mr Senpalit stated that Drayton Tandoori gave Emporium Food Centre permission to use the back of the shop to store rubbish, and this area was now tidy, as the bins that were used were now in the nearby car park.

The Sub-Committee were informed that Mr Gencer’s landlord told the applicant that they could trade up to one metre outside the shop, and that the applicant was unaware they required a licence and could not trade, however, by this point the fruit and vegetables were now outside and it was not possible to store the goods within the store and continue to operate as a store.

Responding to the Chairman’s questioning, the applicants confirmed that without a licence the business closed, and the fruit and vegetables were always outside the premises, both before and after the application for a street trading licence on 28 August 2019.

Representation by Interested Parties:

David Holmes, Anti-Social Behaviour and Environment Officer, stated that on a premises visit on 13 September 2019 the applicant was unable to provide the required documentation for street trading, but there were displays outside the premises that were obstructing the highway, there was waste on the road itself, and some waste was disposed in public bins, while other waste was stored behind Drayton Tandoori.

The Sub-Committee was informed that waste both inside and outside the premises were blocking the edge of fire exits, and while this had been tidied by the time a second visit took place, there was no way to leave the property at the rear of the building due to fencing, and the shop employed 15 employees.

Responding to questioning from Members, Mr Holmes confirmed that he had not seen a trade waste agreement, and that the fruit and vegetable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.