The Licensing Sub-Committee approved two applications for new premises licences: one for the Dreamery at 30 Newington Green Road, and one for The Mad Hatter at 44 Old Street. The committee heard from residents about both applications, and added conditions to the licences in order to address their concerns.

Dreamery, 30 Newington Green Road

The application for a new premises licence for the Dreamery at 30 Newington Green Road, made by Dreamery London Ltd, was granted with additional conditions.

The application was for the supply of alcohol both on and off the premises from 10:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 10:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. It also sought permission to provide late night refreshment from 23:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and to open to the public between 10:00 and 23:30 Sunday to Thursday and between 10:00 and 00:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. The applicant also wished to provide a small amount of takeaway food.

A local resident spoke in favour of the application, while another spoke to object. The applicant, whose company had a lease on the building and who intends to operate it as a barbeque restaurant, also spoke to the committee.

Objections centered around the potential for noise from the premises and its patrons, and concerns that the smell of cooking would constitute a nuisance.

The committee added conditions to the licence requiring the licensee to agree a dispersal policy with the licensing team, to employ a member of staff to monitor the outside area between 00:00 and 00:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, and to offer local residents the opportunity to attend a meeting every four months.

In reaching its decision, the committee took note of the fact that:

The hours sought were within the hours specified in licensing policy 5 and 6.

It was also:

satisfied that the operating schedule demonstrated high standards of management.

and:

satisfied that these additional conditions were proportionate to address the concerns raised by residents and that granting the premises licence was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The Mad Hatter, 44 Old Street

The application for a new premises licence for The Mad Hatter at 44 Old Street, made by Adrian Frape, was granted with conditions.

The application was for the sale of alcohol, for consumption on and off the premises, from 12:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 11:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The applicant also sought permission to provide late night refreshment from 23:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and to open to the public between 11:00 and 23:00 Sunday to Thursday and between 11:00 and 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The applicant, who intends to operate the premises as a cocktail bar with old charm and in a new way, spoke to the committee, and stated that he wanted people to converse in a warm and comfortable place.

While no objections were made to the application by responsible authorities, the committee did receive written representations from three residents expressing concerns about the potential for noise nuisance and the impact on public safety.

Conditions on the licence were agreed with the police and the noise team, and were attached to the licence.

In granting the licence, the committee noted that:

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that the operating schedule demonstrated high standards of management and that the proposed use, with the extensive conditions agreed, meant that the premises would not add to the cumulative impact.

It was also:

satisfied that granting the premises licence was proportionate and appropriate to the promotion of the licensing objectives.