Singh Superstore in Beaconsfield, Southall has had its premises licence application refused by Ealing Council over multiple concerns.

The council's licensing sub-committee came to the agreement on 31 July to deny the Southall shop the sale of alcohol, due to a lack of experience in dealing with concerns in the area, a "troubled" history and failures within the premises.

The decision follows the denial of the store's previous licence in May 2023 after unpaid duty products worth over £1,000 were discovered.

Singh Superstore's previous licence, held by Mr Harvinder Singh, was revoked following an investigation by Ealing Council's Licensing Officer Bob Dear, who also found 1,000 counterfeit cigarettes at the premises.

An appeal was withdrawn in 11 June 2024, shortly before a scheduled hearing and this new licence application comes from Miss Tamanjeet Kaur Gabha.

The sub-committee expressed concerns about the store's role in the community, particularly in relation to street drinking and anti-social behavior.

Police reports indicated that stolen goods were being sold to the shop back in May 2024.

One incident involving a shoplifter caught with stolen Starbucks iced coffee bottles which they say Mr Singh told them to steal from the nearby Iceland supermarket.

Mr Singh denied this although the report stated: "In the shop, near the back on top of the freezers, was the red shopping bag and 29 bottles of ice coffee bottles, which had already been taken out and placed next to the bag, appearing ready to be put on the shelves."

A council licensing officer found a large stock of alcohol, including miniatures and high strength Polish beers up to 9% ABV which is not allowed (credit: Ealing Council).

Sergeant Dimitri Kasar from the Met Police questioned how antisocial behaviour would be prevented as the shop was previously found with high strength Polish beers up to 9% ABV and miniature spirit bottles in its stock room.

Sergeant Kasar also scrutinised how the applicant, Miss Gabha would be ready to handle the premises, given only one and half years dealing with this type of business.

He asked the applicant's representative, Mr Panchal: "My concern is, not that age is necessarily anything to do with it, but she is quite young and in terms of the locale of where the business is, it is in a Special Priority Area where we know there is a high level of antisocial behaviour, street drinkers, etc...how is that going to be managed?"

However, Mr Panchal argued that the store would implement measures to prevent issues, such as not selling high-strength beers.

He told the meeting: "We will not sell strong beers or single cans, which will deter street drinkers."

Despite proposed staff training and other measures, the council decided that the application did not sufficiently address concerns, particularly regarding public safety and preventing crime.

To read the full Ealing Council Licensing Sub-Committee meeting report from 31 July, click here.