LICENSING
plays by the same rules and that we
avoid any similar businesses building
a bad reputation and attracting the
wrong attention.”
KEEPING AN EYE ON IT
Occasionally, however, things go
wrong outside some takeaways or
bars and residents complain about
the impact a business is having on
their community.
The council and Ealing Police
have a team of officers located in
the same offices, to improve their
ability to help busi nesses with advice
and, where necessary, carry out
enforcement of rules. The team is
led by a police sergeant and four
constables, who work alongside three
council licensing officers. They are
supported by the council’s trading
standards officers, noise team and
legal advisors.
Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet
member for Safer Communities,
said: “The team supports managers
to maintain good standards, and
monitors those who are struggling. It
works with traders to help them make
improvements where necessary – and
can set out plans to help resolve any
issues relating to antisocial behaviour.”
With so many
premises to
oversee, the
licensing team
uses a ‘trafficlight’ system to
keep an eye on those
businesses that become linked
in some way to problems such as
crime and anti-social behaviour.
Premises are categorised red,
amber or green
depending on
the number, and
seriousness, of
incidents that have
taken place there. Officers provide
businesses that first
encounter problems
with advice on how to
improve, and how to
resolve issues.
If traders fail to
follow this advice,
the police may
call for a review of the
licence. These are then heard by the
borough’s licensing sub-committee
which has the power to vary licence
conditions, for example by changing
the opening hours or
insisting on improving
security. The subcommittee can even
decide to revoke or
suspend a licence.
and, for example, do not serve later
than they are meant to.
Takeaways and other fast
food eateries may satisfy late
night appetites but some
can also attract trouble as
people spill out from pubs
and clubs. That is why the
team cracks down on food
being served after-hours.
Councillor Dheer said: “Individual
businesses cannot make up their own
opening and closing times. We know
that problems such as noise, litter and
rowdy behaviour can arise, but it is also
unfair to other businesses if some take
it upon themselves to stay open later
than they are allowed to.”
IN NUMBERS
UNHEALTHY
APPETITE
Food businesses are monitored
for hygiene by dedicated council
officers, using a national rating
system. But they are also
monitored by the licensing
team to make sure
they operate within
specified hours
858 premises licensed to sell
alcohol
3,199 food businesses
90 gambling premises
4 licenses revoked in 2013/14
7 further licenses reviewed – with
extra conditions added or hours
reduced
around ealing
Winter 2014/15
23