Council Approves Sale of Alcohol Until 11pm Under Strict Conditions. A local convenience store in Fulham has been granted permission to sell alcohol, despite objections from nearby residents and its close proximity to a primary school.
The decision, made by Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee, allows Bishop’s Local, located on Munster Road, to sell alcohol until 11pm on most days.
The store is situated just around the corner from St John’s Walham Green CE Primary School, prompting widespread concern from members of the local community.
Residents had expressed apprehension in their written objections, warning that there is already “far too much antisocial behaviour” in the area and that granting a licence could pose further risks to children and exacerbate the existing issues.
Initially, the applicant sought permission for alcohol sales from 8am to 11pm, seven days a week. However, in response to residents’ concerns, the operating hours were revised to 9am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 10pm on Sundays.
The premises had previously operated as a café and, in April last year, was issued a limited premises licence for alcohol sales between 10am and 10pm daily. That licence was surrendered in September due to disputes between the former tenant and landlord.
Since then, the site has changed hands and is currently managed by a different operator, although it has not engaged in licensable activities until now. A total of 10 formal objections were submitted against the new licence.
One concerned neighbour wrote: “If this small store is allowed to sell alcohol in the middle of our highly residential area, which also sits next to a Primary School, it would mean a further increase of noise and nuisance, but also an unsafe environment for the residents and pupils alike.”
Another local resident commented: “The convenience store is within close proximity to our house, is in a residential area near a school and creates significant noise pollution after hours already via mopeds delivering items and music played from the store.
Selling alcohol up until 11pm will attract further nuisance and noise. The shop owner regularly operates beyond the hours quoted in your application ie, beyond these.”
During the sub-committee meeting, residents reiterated their concerns about public nuisance, crime, and the potential effect on the school.
Robin Adda, a Neighbourhood Watch member and Residents’ Association Co-Ordinator for Felden and Swift Streets, highlighted the ongoing issues associated with football crowds from nearby Craven Cottage, home to Fulham FC.
“We already have people buying alcohol from Tesco on the corner of Fulham Road and Munster Road at football events and leaving empty bottles and cans on our walls, and also doing less pleasant things like relieving themselves against the walls of our houses,” he said.
Mr Adda, who has lived in the area for over three decades, warned that while crime is currently under control, any relaxation of regulation might reverse that progress: “It would be desperately sad to see that go backwards.”
New Operator Promises Community Engagement
Surendra Panchal, the agent representing applicant Hardip Singh Dang, emphasised that Mr Dang has extensive experience in licencing, holding a personal licence for over 12 years. He further pointed to Mr Dang’s openness to amending the operating hours and his intention to contribute positively to the local area.
“We are now looking at a completely different operator,” he said. “We are now looking at somebody who’s going to come in, give a better shape to the area and give a better understanding and give a better way to the local community.”
Mr Dang also addressed staff training and compliance measures to prevent alcohol from being sold to minors.
Despite these reassurances, some residents remained sceptical. Dominic Hamon, one of the objectors, commented: “Mr Dang clearly has a lot of experience, and I don’t have any reason to doubt they would come in and do a fantastic job, but I think the concerns that have been raised around the licensing specifically aren’t tackled by new management coming in.”
Following a period of deliberation, the council’s licensing sub-committee approved the application, subject to a number of conditions. These include:
- Reduced trading hours compared to the original application
- At least two annual meetings with local residents
- A clearly displayed contact number for public complaints
The shop will now be able to sell alcohol legally under these terms, but residents remain watchful over the potential impact on their neighbourhood.
