The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday 08 January 2026 to consider two applications for new premises licences. The committee decided to adjourn the decision on the application for The New Blxck Ltd, Unit B, 10 Quaker Street, London, E1 6SZ, pending further noise testing. The application for Vittoria Wharf Studio, 10 Stour Road, London E3 2NT was refused.

Application for a New Premises Licence for The New Blxck Ltd, Unit B, 10 Quaker Street, London, E1 6SZ

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for The New Blxck Ltd, located at Unit B, 10 Quaker Street, London, E1 6SZ. The applicant described the premises as a podcast studio with an associated event space for small-scale cultural, creative, and community activities. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol for on-sales from 10:00 to 22:30, Monday to Sunday, and for regulated entertainment, including live and recorded music and films, during the same hours. The premises' proposed opening hours were Monday to Sunday, 09:00 to 23:00.

The premises falls within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) ¹, and representations were received from the Licensing Authority, Environmental Protection, a resident (Ms. Halima Begum), and the residents' association SPIRE (Spitalfields Residents Against Anti-Social Behaviour). A petition with 38 signatures was also submitted.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding potential noise disturbance, particularly from amplified music and patrons congregating outside, given the proximity of residential properties above and opposite the premises. The Licensing Authority highlighted that the area already experiences cumulative impact and that the proposed activities, especially with the sale of alcohol, could exacerbate existing issues. Environmental Protection expressed concerns about noise breakout and the lack of sufficient sound insulation reports. SPIRE echoed these concerns, noting the area is an anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspot and that previous temporary event notices at the premises had led to complaints.

The applicant, represented by Stephen Colthurst, stated that 95% of their operations would be within soundproofed studio rooms. They described the events as low-impact, ticketed or invite-only, with a maximum capacity of 50 people, and alcohol sales being ancillary. The applicant also noted that previous complaints might relate to a prior tenant.

Following extensive discussion and consideration of the evidence, including the potential for noise disturbance and the premises' location within the CIA, the committee decided to adjourn the decision. This adjournment was to allow for further noise testing and for the applicant to provide specifications of noise plans to the Environmental Health team. The decision was to be revisited within four weeks.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Vittoria Wharf Studio, 10 Stour Road, London E3 2NT

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Vittoria Wharf Studio, located at 10 Stour Road, London E3 2NT. The applicant sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol and the provision of recorded music on Fridays and Saturdays until 03:00, with a 30-minute dispersal period. This represented an extension beyond the current licence hours and the council's framework hours ².

The application attracted objections from Environmental Protection and several local residents, including Youri Lie, Anthony Anderson, Andrew Kirby-Pugh, Jason Hesse, Martin and Justine Wright, Santiago Gomez, Taras Lanchev, Tatiana Martins, and the residents of Legacy House. Supporters of the application included Anthony Faulkner, Charles Green, and Ioanna Konstantinou.

Objectors raised concerns about noise disturbance from amplified music and patrons dispersing late at night, particularly given the proximity of residential properties and the limited public transport options at those hours. They highlighted that a similar application had been refused on 1 May 2025 due to concerns about public nuisance, and that despite existing conditions, complaints about noise and ASB had continued. Environmental Protection noted that a formal noise management plan or detailed dispersal strategy had not been provided, and that the proposed hours exceeded the council's framework hours.

The applicant, represented by Rhys Rose and Thomas Fletcher, argued that they had operated successfully under temporary event notices (TENs) ³ until late hours without complaints and had invested in soundproofing and noise mitigation measures. They presented a dispersal policy and a noise assessment report, suggesting that the agent of change principle ⁴ should place the onus on new residential developments to mitigate noise impacts. They also proposed additional conditions, including the hiring of SIA licensed door supervisors and restrictions on egress via the canal path.

Supporters, including local residents, stated they had experienced no issues with noise or ASB from the venue and believed the extended hours would not negatively impact the community.

After considering all representations, the committee refused the application. The refusal was based on the significant extension of hours beyond the council's framework, the concerns raised by objectors regarding public nuisance and noise disturbance, and the perceived lack of sufficient measures to address these issues, particularly in light of previous refusals and ongoing complaints. The committee noted that the proposed hours would create an outlier in the area, with no other premises operating until 03:00.