The Hackney Council Licensing Sub-Committee A met on 25 November 2025 and approved a variation to the premises licence for The Black Eel, formerly known as Draughts. The variation includes changes to the layout, an increase in capacity, and the addition of new conditions to the licence.

The Black Eel Licence Variation

The Licensing Sub-Committee approved the application to vary the premises licence for The Black Eel, formerly Draughts, located at 41 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2JS.

The changes to the licence include:

• Changes to the layout to include an outside bar and a private hire room on the first floor.
• An increase in the permitted capacity from 300 to 350 people, excluding staff.
• A requirement for a minimum of 350 seats or stools to be available for patrons at all times.
• The addition of a written dispersal policy to be implemented at the premises, with all staff briefed on the policy.
• A restriction limiting the number of patrons smoking outside the premises to a maximum of 10 after 22:00.

The committee approved the recommendations outlined in paragraph 8.1 of the Public Reports Pack, and were satisfied that the licensing objectives would not be undermined by the changes.

The committee considered a representation from a local resident, who raised concerns about potential public nuisance and crime due to the increased capacity. The resident also questioned the absence of a dispersal policy and the lack of representations from other responsible authorities.

The representative for the Premises Licence Holder explained that the variation application was necessary due to a recent refurbishment, which included a new first-floor room for private hire, and to reflect the existing outside bar on the plan. They also stated that a new fire risk assessment supported the increased capacity, and that no other responsible authority had raised objections.

The Environmental Health Authority (Environmental Enforcement) withdrew their representations after agreeing conditions with the Premises Licence Holder. The Sub-Committee noted these agreed conditions and the applicant agreed to a condition limiting the number of patrons smoking outside after 22:00 to a maximum of 10.

The committee considered the local resident’s concerns, the fire risk assessment, and the architectural plan. They noted that the Premises Licence Holder had agreed to submit a dispersal policy, which would mitigate any concerns about capacity.

Temporary Event Notices

The agenda included a standing item to consider Temporary Event Notices (TENs). A Temporary Event Notice is a notification given to the licensing authority by an individual, letting them know that they intend to carry out a licensable activity for a short period of time¹. No further information about this item was provided in the agenda or reports pack.