The Licensing Sub Committee met to discuss two applications for new premises licences. The first application was resolved prior to the meeting. The committee then considered the second application, but ultimately refused a new premises licence for Midpoint, 112-116 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1JE, due to concerns about crime, disorder and public nuisance.

Midpoint, 112-116 Whitechapel Road

The sub-committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Midpoint, 112-116 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1JE. The applicant, M M International PVT Ltd, sought permission to provide late-night refreshment from 11pm to 3am, with extended hours until 5am during Ramadan.

The sub-committee ultimately refused the application. Their reasons included:

• The location of the premises within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Area¹
• The history of complaints from residents about antisocial behaviour in the nearby Vine Court.
• Concerns that granting the licence would undermine the licensing objectives² related to crime and disorder and public nuisance.
• The applicant's failure to propose sufficient measures to address these concerns.
• Evidence of the premises operating without a licence, including two failed test purchases by the licensing authority.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed, Chair of the Licensing Sub Committee, noted that the premises is in the community of impact zone and asked what steps would be taken to deal with the concerns raised.

The applicant's licensing representative, Mr Moses Ecole, stated that the applicant was committed to making amends for failing a test purchase, and suggested additional CCTV, a security officer, and a logbook to record any incidents. He also proposed closing 30 minutes before the mandatory closing time to allow customers to leave and the premises to be cleaned.

However, Councillor Abdi Mohamed questioned the applicant's ability to adhere to licensing laws, given the evidence of previous breaches. Jonathan Melnick, legal advisor to the subcommittee, clarified that the premises did not currently have a licence and had been caught selling hot food and drink after 11pm on two occasions.

Honour O'Leary, Environmental Protection Officer for NOISE Team, highlighted that Vine Court has been a hotspot for antisocial behaviour for over a decade, with residents reporting consistent nightly disturbances. She said that any premises operating late into the night in this location would inevitably interact with these issues and risk worsening them.

PC Caring Wells from the Metropolitan Police stated that while the police were not initially against the application, their recommendation had since changed due to the history of antisocial behaviour and crime in Vine Court, the breaches of licensing laws, and the lack of communication from the applicant.

Councillor Amina Ali asked about what mitigation would be put in place to resolve the noise and nuisance caused by people lodging outside the premises. Mr Moses Ecole responded that the source of the noise was more to do with people gathering around Vine Court, and that the restaurant itself had solid walls and a noise extraction unit. He offered to discuss undertaking a structural integrity assessment of the building to see if insulation could be introduced.

Councillor Faroque Ahmed asked if there were any other restaurants that opened quite late in that particular area. He also asked about the seating capacity of the restaurant, which Mr Moses Ecole initially struggled to answer, before stating that the maximum capacity was 25 people.

During concluding remarks, Mohshin Ali, Senior Licensing Officer, questioned who the licence would be granted to, as the applicant had not contacted the licensing authority and had sent representatives to the meeting on his behalf.

Honour O'Leary emphasised that the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance was central to the application, and that extending activity in the area until 3am would place an unreasonable burden on local residents.

PC Caring Wells stated that the applicant had failed to convince the police that they were a responsible licence holder and would uphold the licensing objectives.

Extension of Decision Deadline

The sub-committee agreed to extend the decision deadline for the following applications to 31 March 2026:

• Landing Canary Wharf, first floor 12 Bank Street, London E14
• Amazing Grace, 12 Bank Street, London E14
• Second Home, 68 to 80 Hanbury Street, London E1
• Brick Lane E149, Brick Lane, London E1
• Brick Lane, London E16PU
• IM Coffee, 30 Fashion Street, London E1
• Shell Old Ford, 445 Wick Lane, London E3