Residents Said No, Yet Havering Council Approve Another Hornchurch Off Licence.

A new off-licence has been given permission to open in Hornchurch despite the council receiving ten initial objections writes Sebastian Mann, local democracy reporter.

Rasa Food and Wine will open its doors in Station Lane, to the south of the main high street, in mid-January, serving customers between 8am and 11pm seven days a week.

The new business was backed by Havering Council’s licensing committee, made up of elected members, at a meeting on Friday, 19th December.

A representative for applicant Tharsan Sivasaravanamuthu said he had managed a similar business in East Ham since 2021 with no issues.

He said his client had taken “responsible steps since day one,” and pointed to the shop’s relatively limited hours that would prevent people “buying beers at 7am”.

However, several mothers of young children wrote to the council, saying the area already suffered from antisocial behaviour and drunk people could be aggressive in the street.

One resident described broken glass littering the street, while another feared new stores could be targets for potential thieves after hearing young people had tried robbing a nearby Subway sandwich shop.

“There are already several off-licences within a very short distance of this site,” an expectant mum added. “It is hard to see why we need another one – especially when the area is already dealing with noise, litter, disorder and groups gathering late in the evening.”

Tharsan’s representative said he would ensure his customers would not loiter outside the store, keep two members of staff in the shop at any time, and install a bin for cigarette butts.

Though several neighbours said the area suffered from antisocial behaviour, the Metropolitan Police’s licensing team did not object to the proposals. Officers will typically oppose new off-licences in areas known for disorder offences, including street drinking and public nuisance.

One objector also withdrew their representation ahead of the meeting.

The committee imposed extra rules on the shop, ordering them to prevent littering and restrict sales of 20cl bottles of spirits.

After rubber-stamping the licence, committee chair Councillor Philippa Crowder said: “I wish you luck in your business going forward, and it’s always nice to welcome new businesses into the area.”

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