The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council met to consider a new premises licence application for Topps Pizzas. The committee decided to grant the licence with additional conditions.

New Premises Licence for Topps Pizzas

The subcommittee considered a new premises licence application for Topps Pizzas, located at 951 Romford Road, Manor Park, E12 5JR. The application was for late-night refreshments, with proposed operating hours from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM daily.

A representation was received from a local resident objecting to the application on the grounds of crime and disorder, and public nuisance. However, no representations were received from other responsible authorities, including the police, trading standards, or environmental health.

The case officer, Colin, presented the report, noting that the premises had been operating as a takeaway for some time but had not previously held a premises licence. He provided context on existing licensed premises in the vicinity, highlighting that several takeaways and off-licences operate in the area, with some having 24-hour licences and others operating with conditions such as CCTV and delivery restrictions.

The applicant, represented by Ahmed Idrissinuri Salahuddin Nuri (father and son), stated they had been open since mid-January 2026 and had encountered no issues regarding parking or littering. They explained their business model focuses solely on pizza preparation using ovens, with no frying, and that they do not have an indoor seating area. They emphasised their commitment to being law-abiding and good neighbours, having spoken to their immediate neighbours who reported no problems. They also highlighted their investment in the business and the need for the extended hours to ensure financial viability, citing significant outgoings such as rent and business rates.

During the discussion, councillors sought clarification on various aspects of the application and the applicant's operating procedures. Questions were raised about the applicant's willingness to work with the council and adhere to regulations, their plans for staff training, the management of an incident log, CCTV maintenance, and shift arrangements for the proposed hours. The applicants confirmed they would conduct in-house staff training, maintain an incident log, and ensure CCTV systems are operational, informing the licensing team if any issues arise. They also confirmed their delivery drivers use electric motorbikes.

Regarding the objection from the local resident, the applicants addressed concerns about littering and forecourt usage, stating they actively manage litter and have CCTV in place. They also discussed their approach to unaccompanied minors, confirming they would challenge individuals who appear to be under 25 and would contact the police if they encountered minors in the premises late at night without adult supervision.

The subcommittee deliberated in private with legal advice from Sajid Mahmood, a lawyer for the council. Upon reconvening, Councillor Tonii Wilson, Chair of the Licensing Committee, announced that the licence would be granted with additional conditions. The full written decision, including the reasons for the decision and the specific conditions imposed, will be sent to the applicant within five working days. Parties involved have the right to appeal the decision to the magistrate's court within 21 days.