The meeting was scheduled to include a discussion of an application for a new premises licence for MOJO and Creams, 229 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HE.

Application for a Premises Licence: MOJO and Creams, 229 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HE

Mohammed Koir Uddin applied for a new premises licence for MOJO and Creams to allow the business to sell late night refreshment from 11pm until 5am, seven days a week. The applicant also requested that the premises be allowed to open from 12pm until 5am every day.

The Environmental Enforcement team submitted a representation objecting to the application on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. This was based on a number of previous complaints about businesses on Old Street in relation to litter and waste. They requested a number of conditions be attached to the licence in relation to waste disposal, the management of litter, and the provision of a cigarette bin outside the premises.

The Police and Licensing Authority also submitted representations raising concerns about the application on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance, noting that the application sought opening hours that were far in excess of the core hours specified by the Hackney Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2023-2028, which states:

Hours for licensable activity will generally be authorised, subject to demonstrating LP1 and LP2, as follows: • Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 23:00 • Friday and Saturday 08:00 to 00:00 • Sunday 10:00 to 22:30

Hours may be more restrictive dependent on the character of the area and if the individual circumstances require it.

Later hours may be considered where the applicant has identified any risk that may undermine the promotion of the licensing objectives and has put in place robust measures to mitigate those risks. It should be noted that this policy does not apply to those who are making an application within a special policy area (see section 3) unless they have been able to demonstrate that the proposed activity or operation of the premises will not add to the cumulative impact that is already being experienced.

They also noted that the premises were in an area that had been the subject of a Cumulative Impact Assessment¹ the previous year and that police observations had found that:

"Overall, the observations showed that on Friday and Saturday night the former CIP area is extremely busy and at times very chaotic, and the triangle remains the central hub of the CIP’s NTE, retaining people drinking and on the street until 4am, with options to eat until 5:30am.”

In particular, The Police stated that they were concerned that:

any venue open until these hours will keep people in the area rather than dispersing and going home. It is at this point that ASB and alcohol fuelled violence increases as groups gather together waiting for or eating food.

Two representations from local residents were also submitted, both objecting to the application on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. One of the residents explained their objection in an email which said:

Permission should not be given to Mojo & Cream to open till late because there is lot nuisance in front of the bus stops. People always eating food there and leaving rubbish there. Making not of noises. It's very hard to catch bus in that environment because as a commuter I feel unsafe. At weekend lot of people use this bus stops.

Licensing officers recommended that if the Licensing Sub-Committee were minded to approve the application, they should attach a number of conditions to the licence in line with the representations made.