Plans for a new off-licence at 114 Uxbridge Road in Shepherd’s Bush have been refused by Hammersmith and Fulham Council after strong opposition from residents, police and other responsible authorities.
The application, submitted by Delprit Singh Arora, sought permission to sell alcohol and open from 8am to 11pm every day at the former beauty salon on the corner of Uxbridge Road and Caxton Road. The proposal went before the council’s Licensing Sub-Committee this week, where members voted to reject it.
The decision followed a consultation that drew 93 objections. Concerns centred on whether another alcohol outlet in the area would add to existing problems linked to street drinking, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related disorder.
Police and residents raised concerns
Police objected to the application, saying the surrounding area already faces serious issues connected to alcohol consumption. PC Charlotte Bennett, from the Met Police licensing team, warned that approving the licence “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”.
A local ward officer, PC Samuel Locking, also backed the objection. In written comments, he said: “From a moral perspective we have a duty to safeguard vulnerable persons and individuals suffering from alcohol addiction fall into this category.”
Residents also told the committee that alcohol-related anti-social behaviour is already affecting daily life around the site. Objections were submitted by local people as well as the Caxton Village Tenants and Residents Association, which said the area already has a high concentration of licensed premises.
Focus on Uxbridge Road and Caxton Road site
The proposed premises is at 114 Uxbridge Road, directly by Caxton Road in Shepherd’s Bush. Objectors argued the location was a major issue, saying it would make it easy for people to buy alcohol and head straight towards Shepherd’s Bush Green.
Carol Fregiste-Thomas, Community Safety Officer (North) at the council, told the meeting the premises had never operated as an off-licence before and would introduce a new type of business to the immediate area. She said people buying alcohol there could remain nearby or move along Caxton Road to drink.
Lucy Goodman, speaking for the Caxton Village Tenants and Residents Association, said the impact of street drinking on neighbours was serious and affected how safe people felt using the area and entering or leaving their homes. One resident representation included in the association’s objection said walking through the neighbourhood with a child had become increasingly difficult because of drinking, disorder and drug-related activity.
Reduced hours did not change the outcome
During the hearing, the applicant’s agent, Surendra Panchal, proposed cutting the requested alcohol sales hours from 11pm to 9pm. He argued this was a substantial reduction and pointed out that other nearby premises sell alcohol later into the evening.
But council licensing manager Adrian Overton said the area would remain saturated with off-licences even with shorter hours. Other responsible authorities also maintained that the main concern was not only late-night sales, but the availability of alcohol during the day in an area already dealing with street drinking.
Members ultimately refused the application. The decision means the former beauty salon at 114 Uxbridge Road will not be allowed to operate as a new off-licence under the proposal considered this week.
- Address: 114 Uxbridge Road, corner of Caxton Road, Shepherd’s Bush
- Application: New off-licence
- Requested hours: 8am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday
- Revised offer at hearing: Alcohol sales until 9pm
- Decision: Refused by Hammersmith and Fulham Council Licensing Sub-Committee
- Objections: 93 during consultation
