A Coldharbour bottle shop was granted a new licence after it was suspended, despite a history of selling alcohol to under-age drinkers and outside licensed hours, employing an illegal immigrant, and previous prosecutions from Lambeth Council.

Lambeth Council’s community safety department supported the new licence, after they had reached an agreement with a licence holder at House of Bottles, Anthony Fabusiwa.

Community Safety area manager Calvin McLean told the licensing sub committee that it was difficult to revoke a licence.

“We sit in a very difficult position as officers, particularly in dealing with the licensing act, because the act requires us basically to do everything we can to avoid revoking a licence”, he said.

“It’s with great reluctance that we came to this conclusion because I see he has had a lot of chances, but we need to think of what the best option is, particularly around possible appeal.”

The sub-committee heard that Mr Fabusiwa and the community safety department had made an agreement, which included an updated list of staff given to the council every quarter for two years, written notice of overseas travel with who will be left in charge, and a time limit on how long Mr Fabusiwa can take to provide CCTV footage.

In January Mr Fabusiwa was found guilty at the Camberwell Green magistrates court of selling alcohol outside of licences hours, and for not having staff able to use CCTV systems upon request.

But he was found not guilty on the charge of failing to provide CCTV footage in time.

Councillor John Kazantzis  was surprised the Community Safety department would agree to the conditions, given Mr Fabusiwa’s reluctance to show CCTV footage in the past.

But the council officers were satisfied the new conditions on the licence would stop this issue occuring again, by stating all recordings must be stored for 30 days, and must be made available within 14 days.

Licensing sub committee chair councillor Fred Cowell granted the review application, but had a warning for Mr Fabusiwa: “I would like to remind the that they have a long history and hope that this resolves the matter going forward.”