The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Mamma Mia Pizza & Chicken. The committee was also set to review the procedure for licensing hearings.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Mamma Mia Pizza & Chicken

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence for Mamma Mia Pizza & Chicken, located at 77 Goodmayes Road, Goodmayes, IG3 9UB. The applicant, M U Pro Limited, trading as Mamma Mia Pizza and Chicken, sought to enable the licensable activity of late-night refreshment.

The application proposed opening hours from 11:00 to 01:00 the following day, Monday to Sunday, with late-night refreshment activities specifically requested between 23:00 and 01:00. The premises is described as a ground-floor takeaway and dine-in establishment with nine seats, offering hot food, home deliveries, and customer collections.

The report pack indicated that four objections had been lodged by responsible authorities: the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team, the Council's Licensing Enforcement Team, the Community Protection Task Force, and the Home Office (Immigration Enforcement). These objections were based on concerns that granting the licence could negatively impact the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

The report detailed the procedure for licensing hearings, outlining the order in which cases would be considered. It also referenced the Licensing Act 2003 and the Statutory Guidance issued by the Home Office, which provide the framework for licensing decisions. The council's own Statement of Licensing Policy was also a key document for consideration, particularly its sections on premises supplying takeaway food and drink and its framework hours for the Goodmayes area.

The report highlighted that the proposed hours significantly exceeded the council's framework hours for licensed restaurants and cafes. It also noted that the applicant had previously applied for late-night refreshment until 5 am, which was rejected on 6 November 2025. Subsequent to that, Immigration Enforcement visited the premises on 3 January 2026 and arrested an individual for illegal working, issuing a penalty notice to the owner. This history led to concerns from the Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Enforcement Team regarding the applicant's trustworthiness and ability to uphold licensing objectives.

The report also included representations from the Community Protection Team, raising concerns about potential public nuisance from noise and litter, as well as crime and disorder due to the proposed late hours and lack of dedicated parking. The Home Office Immigration Enforcement also made representations, detailing the discovery of an illegal worker and the employer's failure to conduct compliant right-to-work checks.

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider whether to grant the application, grant it with additional conditions, grant it in part, or reject it, having regard to the report, statutory guidance, the council's licensing policy, and any representations made.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was also scheduled to review the procedure for licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the steps to be followed during a hearing, including the presentation of factual summaries, the order of evidence from the applicant and responsible authorities, and the process for summing up arguments before the committee makes a decision in private.