The Licensing Sub Committee C of Islington Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to consider applications for new premises licences and a temporary event notice. The committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises licence application for Pizza Express in Finsbury Park, a new premises licence for Frequency Coffee in Angel Square, and a temporary event notice for Bisha Eritrean Restaurant.

New Premises Licence for Pizza Express, Finsbury Park

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Pizza Express at Unit 6, 14 Wells Terrace, London, N4 3JU. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises, the provision of late-night refreshment, and the playing of recorded music. Initially, the application proposed hours until 2:00 am, but these were later reduced to 11:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Representations were received from one local resident who expressed concerns about increased noise, anti-social behaviour, and public disturbance, particularly given the existing late-night activities from nearby businesses such as GDK and MVMT Dance Studio. The resident argued that the proposed hours would exacerbate existing issues and negatively impact the quality of life for local residents.

PizzaExpress Limited, through their representatives Poppleston Allen, responded by acknowledging the residents' concerns and highlighting the revised operating hours. They stated that the reduced hours aimed to balance customer demand with the amenity of local residents. The applicant also offered a comprehensive package of licence conditions designed to address concerns about public nuisance, customer management, staff training, and waste collection. These conditions included measures such as a CCTV system, a Challenge 21 proof of age scheme, an incident log, and requests for patrons to leave quietly. The applicant also proposed conditions related to home delivery drivers, including a no-idling policy and access to toilet facilities.

The report indicated that the Metropolitan Police, the Council's Noise Service, and Health and Safety had no objections, with conditions agreed. However, one local resident had made a representation. The committee was to consider whether the application, particularly in light of its location within the Finsbury Park Cumulative Impact Area, would have an adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives.

New Premises Licence for Frequency Coffee, Angel Square

The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Frequency Coffee at Angel Square, Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NY. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol on the premises, the playing of recorded and live music, and for the premises to be open to the public.

Representations were received from local residents who raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and litter in the vicinity. They requested that permission for the off-sale of alcohol not be granted, citing existing privacy concerns and a proliferation of alcohol consumption in the area. The residents also expressed disappointment that a coffee shop operation was applying to sell alcohol, noting that the premises occupied an office building that had not yet been let to commercial tenants.

The applicants, Frequency Coffee, stated that they are an established coffee company with multiple London locations and have not received formal complaints regarding public disorder at any of their operations. They emphasised that the sale of alcohol would form a small part of their offering and was not intended for a late-night mode of operation, but rather associated with gifts and retail aspects of the business. They agreed to conditions limiting the supply of alcohol to on-sales only and stated that the premises benefited from being in a commercial building with internal lobby and onsite security. They also committed to low-level music and ensuring music would not be heard outside.

The report noted that the premises fell within the Angel and Upper Street cumulative impact area. The committee was to consider Licensing Policy 3 and 4, which create a presumption of refusal for applications likely to add to existing cumulative impact unless the applicant can demonstrate no negative impact. The committee was to determine if the proposed use, with agreed conditions, would not add to the cumulative impact.

Temporary Event Notice for Bisha Eritrean Restaurant

The committee was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Bisha Eritrean Restaurant, 544 Holloway Road, N7 6JP. The notice sought authorisation for licensable activities until 4:00 am.

The Council's Noise Team had objected to the TEN on the grounds of preventing public nuisance. They reported receiving complaints in relation to the premises and noted that while officers had witnessed compliance with volume reduction requests, they had concerns about the proposed hours extending to 4:00 am. The Noise Team questioned the suitability of a sound limiter and whether it would be set appropriately.

The applicant's representative stated that the event was an annual celebration, attended by local MPs and the Mayor, and that the applicant had been involved in the community. They suggested that noise complaints might not have pertained to the premises during the period in question and that the application was made to ensure compliance. The applicant also suggested that the extended hours were to account for late guests and spontaneous celebrations.

The Licensing Officer advised that the anti-social behaviour investigation team had engaged with the premises regarding bassline noise levels, and while the premises had been cooperative, noise should not have been played after 11:00 pm. The applicant's representative explained that the extended hours were to account for spillover and ensure guests were in attendance legally.

The committee was to consider whether permitting the TEN would undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance, given the history of noise complaints and the extended hours sought.

Premises Licence Summary Review Application for Gem Restaurant

The committee was also scheduled to consider a premises licence summary review application for Gem Restaurant, 265 Upper Street, London, N1 2UQ. This item was brought forward as urgent due to a serious incident at the premises involving multiple stabbings. The application was made by the Metropolitan Police under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003.

The report indicated that the incident involved a knife taken from the premises' kitchen, raising concerns about management control and public safety. The Police also noted a lack of cooperation from staff and suspicion of CCTV tampering. The Premises Licence Holder had proposed measures to mitigate risks, including restricting licensable activities to the ground floor, reducing hours for the basement, and employing SIA staff.

The committee was to determine whether to take interim steps pending a full review hearing. The report stated that the sub-committee would consider excluding the press and public from this item due to the consideration of exempt information. The outcome of this review was to impose interim steps, including the suspension of the premises licence pending a full review.