Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 3, 2026

Purpose:

Content: The Licensing Sub-Committee in considering this decision from the information presented to it within the report and at the hearing has determined that having regard to the promotion of all the licensing objectives:   • The prevention of crime and disorder; • Public safety; • Prevention of public nuisance; and • The protection of children from harm,   and in particular the Prevention of Crime and Disorder, The Prevention of Public Nuisance and Public Safety.   The application to vary a premises licence has been refused in accordance with Licensing Policies LP1, LP2, LP3, and LP4, within the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.   Reasons for the decision   The Licensing Sub Committee heard from the Premises Licence Holder in summary he provided the following representations, that the premises had shown the professionalism, care and dedication to upholding the licensing objectives and community responsibility with the premises. The operating costs had increased considerably and in order to sustain their community arts and wellbeing programmes an extension to the hours was sought.   The Licensing Sub- Committee took into account representations from the Environmental Protection Service in summary raised issues regarding public nuisance. In particular, the hours requested in the variation are extremely late for a venue that is within a highly residential area. Since March 2022 they had received 24 complaints from 11 different residents, residents alleged disturbances from loud music and issues around patrons’ dispersal during the early hours of the morning. The latest complaint being the 8th of December 2025 at 23;36 alleging disturbance from loud music which prevented nearby residents from sleeping.   The Licensing Sub Committee heard representations from the Metropolitan Police Service (“the Police”) their representations were in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. In summary they stated the hours requested are extremely late for a venue that is within a residential area. The Police have previously witnessed issues with dispersal. In particular crowds blocking the road and stopping buses from being able to pass. The Police also stated that they were aware of noise complaints in the past coming from the above premises. It was also stated that the noise from the premises prevented nearby residents from sleeping.   The Licensing Sub Committee heard representations from a local resident. In summary the representations primarily were in relation to prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. In particular, complaints of noise from the premises and the location of the premises in a residential area. The Licensing Sub Committee took into account that the local resident had concerns that there are no trains nearby after midnight and only an occasional night bus. As a result, this would cause public nuisance as customers disperse.   The Licensing Sub Committee also took into consideration the written representations from the Hackney Wick Ward Councillors. In their written representations they objected to the variation of the licence. In particular, they stated that the premises is in a residential area and that the extension to 04:00 will unavoidably cause public nuisance, have a negative impact on those who live around the venue in terms of residents' right to amenity and peace during night time.   The Licensing Sub Committee also took into consideration the representations from the Environmental Protection Service. The written representations were around the prevention of public nuisance. In summary the representations involved complaints regarding fly-tipping, littering and the accumulation of waste in the area. However, it is clear if those complaints are from the above premises. What is clear is that there were concerns that there could be likely cigarette litter due to smoking being illegal in nearly all enclosed premises. There was also the possibility of patrons leaving behind glasses and bottles. In view of the fact that there were written representations the Licensing Sub- Committee attached the necessary weight to those written representations.   The Licensing Sub-Committee after considering the application and the above representations from the Premises License Holder, the Environmental Protection Service, the Metropolitan Police Service, Other Persons (local residents), Environmental Protection Service, Environmental Enforcement and written representations from the Hackney Wick Ward Councillors.   The Sub-Committee took into account the 24 complaints from 11 different residents' regarding noise such as loud music which came from the above premises. The Licensing Sub-Committee took into account that 15 TENs had been acknowledged. There were complaints of loud music from the local residents arising from 2 TENs.   In response the Premises License Holder stated that these complaints of noise did not come from their premises. However, this was not supported by the Police or the Environmental Protection Service who made representations that the complaints of noise emanated from the premises.   The Licensing Sub Committee took into account previous incidents where crowds of patrons during dispersals were blocking the road and stopping buses being able to pass. This has been personally witnessed by the Police. The issue of dispersal was also raised by the Environmental Protection Service, in their representations there has been complaints of customer dispersal during events and in the early hours of the morning. In the written representations of the local resident they stated that customers’ dispersal will certainly cause public nuisance.  The Licensing Sub Committee took into consideration that the premises are located in a residential area, and that extending the hours to 04:00 is excessive, and outside the core hours as set out in the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy. These were concerns that were raised by all those who made representations. The Licensing Sub Committee commended the Premises License Holder for his awareness and implementation of the “Ask for Angela” Safety initiative.  The Sub-Committee took into consideration when refusing this application that each case is considered on its merits. The Sub-Committee believed that the licensing objectives could not be promoted by granting this variation application, and as such it was appropriate to refuse the application in its entirety.     The Sub-Committee takes the view that the decision taken in not varying the licence is proportionate as varying the hours would not promote the licensing objectives. In particular, the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.