The Licensing Sub Committee A met on 4 November 2025 to consider new premises licence applications for four locations: University of the Arts, Runway East , The Horses, and Amnesty International. Councillors were reminded that members of the public were welcome to attend the meeting.

Formal Matters

As is standard practice at the start of meetings, Councillor Heather Staff, Chair of Licensing Committee and Migrants Champion, was scheduled to begin by introducing the members, and outlining the procedure to be followed. Councillors were expected to declare any interests that they have.

Minutes from Previous Meeting

The minutes from the meeting held on 1 October 2025 were included in the report pack. The prior meeting included a discussion of a premises licence review for The Charlotte Despard, 17-19 Archway Road N19 3TX.

University of the Arts, Sketch House, 36 Clifton Terrace, London, N4 3TD

The committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises application for University of the Arts, Sketch House, 36 Clifton Terrace, London, N4 3TD. The report pack noted that the property had not previously been licensed. The recommendation in the report pack was that the committee determine the application, and that if the application was granted it should be subject to conditions prepared by the Licensing Officer, and any conditions deemed appropriate by the Licensing Sub-Committee to promote the four licensing objectives¹. The report pack noted that the premises is located in the Holloway and Finsbury Park Cumulative Impact Area² and therefore there is a presumption of refusal unless the Sub-Committee is satisfied that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives. The application form stated that the applicant, University of the Arts, London, required a premises licence to facilitate student, staff and community events which were previously enabled by the issuance of Temporary Event Notices[^4]. The two licensed areas were scheduled to be on the ground floor including a multi-use recreations space, but there would be no permanent bar and any requirements for alcohol must be pre-booked and agreed by the building manager. The report pack included copies of letters sent by David Whitehead, agent for the applicant, to residents who had raised concerns. The suggested conditions of approval included:

• The public shall not be admitted to the premises other than for pre-booked, events and exhibitions.
• The provision of licensable activities shall be ancillary to the use of the premises as student accommodation.
• All persons engaged at the premises with responsibility for the sale or supply of alcohol will receive adequate training.
• All requirements for alcohol shall be pre-booked through the building manager.
• The premises will operate 'Ask Angela' and 'Ask Clive' policies, key staff shall undertake WAVE training as appropriate.
• Digital CCTV shall be installed, operated, and maintained.
• Security staff shall be on duty 24 hours each day.
• The premises will operate the 'Challenge 25' proof of age scheme.

Runway East, 52 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4NJ

The committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises application for Runway East, 52 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4NJ. The new application was to allow the sale of alcohol on Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 23:30, and for opening hours of Monday to Sunday for 24 hours a day. The report pack noted that the premises previously applied for a licence for the building in 2022 and this application was refused by Licensing Sub committee on the 15 December 2022. The report pack noted that the premises is located in the Bunhill Cumulative Impact Area and therefore there is a presumption of refusal unless the Sub-Committee is satisfied that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives. The recommendation in the report pack was that the committee determine the application, and that if the application was granted it should be subject to conditions prepared by the Licensing Officer, and any conditions deemed appropriate by the Licensing Sub-Committee to promote the four licensing objectives. The applicant, Josh Dane, Business Operations Manager at Runway East Limited, stated in the application form that Runway East is a co working operation with over 13 sites in the UK of which 8 are in London. The report pack included a letter from the applicant stating that alcohol sales would be strictly limited to times when there are members of their team onsite - this is either 12pm-5.30pm on Monday to Friday, or during events, so they can strictly control the sales that are made. The suggested conditions of approval included:

• The maximum number of persons accommodated at any one time should not exceed 100.
• Staff will be trained in the responsible sale & service of alcohol in line with the licensing act.
• CCTV shall be installed, operated and maintained.
• The premises will operate the 'Challenge 25' proof of age scheme.
• There shall be no waste collections from, or deliveries of products to, the premises between 22:00 and 07:00 hours.
• A written dispersal policy shall be in place and implemented at the premises.

The Horses, 26-28 Ray Street, London EC1 R 3DJ

The committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises application for The Horses, 26-28 Ray Street, London EC1 R 3DJ. The new application was to allow:

• The provision of Recorded Music, 24 hours daily
• The On and Off Sales of Alcohol from 10:00 until 23:00 Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 until 22:30 on Sunday.
• Late Night Refreshment from 23:00 until 23:30 Monday to Saturday
• Opening hours of the premises 24 hours daily.
• From the start of permitted hours on New Years Eve until the end of permitted hours on New Years Day. The report pack noted that there was already a premises licence in place for the address, historically operated as The Coach & Horses in respect of the ground floor, first floor and external areas. The application proposes a new Premises Licence with the same licensable activities, permitted hours and conditions as existing Premises Licence, together with the addition of the second floor as a private dining/function room and the addition of the third floor as a small Japanese restaurant. The proposals include an associated reduction to the current licensed area on the first floor to accommodate a new kitchen area. There are no proposed changes to the existing licensing position as per the existing premises licence in respect of the ground floor and external areas, save for minor layout changes. The report pack noted that the premises is located in the Clerkenwell Cumulative Impact Area and therefore the Licensing Sub-Committee will need to consider Licensing Policy 3, which states that there is a presumption of refusal unless the Sub-Committee is satisfied that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives. The recommendation in the report pack was that the committee determine this application, noting that the application form addresses the Cumulative Impact Area and Policy by suggesting a number of conditions in the Operating Schedule, and that the applicants further endorse these conditions by accepting conditions suggested by Islington Council's Noise Service. The suggested conditions of approval included:
• The maximum number of customers permitted to use the patio/garden to the rear of the premises at any one time shall be 40.
• The garden to the rear of the premises will close to patrons at 22:00 hours on any given trading day.
• Patrons will only be permitted to use the garden to the rear of the premises if seated (except for access and egress).
• There shall be no collections of refuse or deliveries of alcohol between the hours of 20:00 and 08:00.
• A Challenge 21 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises.

Amnesty International, Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 1DW

The committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises application for Amnesty International, Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 1DW. The new application was to allow:

• The provision of Plays, Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Performance of Dance from 16:00 until 22:00 Monday to Sunday;
• The On and Off Sales of Alcohol from 17:00 until 2200 Monday to Sunday;
• Opening hours of the premises from 08:00 until 22:00 Monday to Sunday. The report pack noted that the premises is located in the Clerkenwell Cumulative Impact Area and therefore the Licensing Sub-Committee will need to consider Licensing Policy 3, which states that there is a presumption of refusal unless the Sub-Committee is satisfied that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives. The recommendation in the report pack was that the committee determine this application, noting that the application form addresses the Cumulative Impact Area and Policy by suggesting a number of conditions in the Operating Schedule, and that the applicants further endorse these conditions by accepting conditions suggested by Islington Council's Noise Service and Police. The applicant described the premises as being the National Headquarters of Amnesty International UK, a modern, purpose-designed building, consisting of multiple floors including office areas, meeting rooms and flexible event spaces, used to host a variety of events that support the organisations charitable and educational objectives, such as public talks, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops and fundraising receptions. The ground floor reception area and an internal cafe/bar space is to be use for the sale of provision of alcohol during the events. All licensable activities will take place within the enclosed areas of the building. There is no designated area for the consumption of alcohol outside. The suggested conditions of approval included:
• Noise or vibration must not emanate from the premises so as to cause a nuisance to nearby properties.
• CCTV shall be installed, operated and maintained.
• An incident log shall be maintained at the premises.
• The premises shall operate the Challenge 25 proof of age scheme.