The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council is scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Lahori Darbar, a restaurant and takeaway located at 62 Ilford Lane, Ilford, IG1 2JZ. The committee will also review the procedure for licensing hearings.

Application for a Premises Licence: Lahori Darbar

The main focus of the meeting is expected to be the application for a new premises licence for Lahori Darbar, situated at 62 Ilford Lane, Ilford, IG1 2JZ. The application, submitted by Rizwan Choudhary, director of Lahori Darbar Limited, seeks to permit the licensable activity of late-night refreshment. The proposed hours for this activity are from 23:00 to 00:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 23:00 to 01:00 the following day on Fridays and Saturdays. The premises would be open to the public from 12:00 to 00:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 12:00 to 01:00 the following day on Fridays and Saturdays. Seasonal variations are also requested for Ramadan and Eid days, and 14th August, extending the hours to 02:00.

The application specifies that the premises will operate as a restaurant and takeaway business with no sale of alcohol. The applicant has proposed a schedule of conditions aimed at promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

However, the application has attracted objections. One representation has been received from other persons, and two representations have been lodged by responsible authorities : the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team and the Council's Licensing Enforcement team. These objections are based on concerns that granting the licence could negatively impact the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and public safety.

The premises is located within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) as identified in the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹. The policy states that within a CIZ, there is a rebuttable presumption that applications for new premises licences will be refused. ² This presumption can only be overcome if an applicant can demonstrate that granting the application will not exacerbate existing cumulative impacts. The report pack notes that the applicant has not explicitly acknowledged being within the CIZ in their application.

The report pack outlines the potential impacts of late-night refreshment venues, particularly in areas with a high concentration of licensed premises. Concerns raised by the Licensing Enforcement team include potential increases in street drinking, noise nuisance, loitering, large gatherings, public urination, littering, and associated crime and disorder, such as prostitution, violent crimes, theft, and drug-related incidents. The Metropolitan Police also express concern that the proposed hours will attract patrons who are already under the influence of alcohol, leading to increased anti-social behaviour and a detrimental impact on residents and other businesses.

The report pack also highlights that the premises are currently advertising opening times on the internet that suggest operation past 11 pm without a licence, which is noted as a potential breach of Section 136 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application, the representations received, and the relevant policies, including the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy³ and the Statutory Guidance issued by the Home Office⁴, before making a decision. The possible outcomes include granting the application, granting it with additional conditions, granting it in part, or rejecting it.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee is also scheduled to review the Procedure for Licensing Hearings. This document outlines the steps the Sub-Committee will follow when conducting a hearing, including the order in which evidence will be considered from the applicant, responsible authorities, and interested parties, and the process for summing up and making a decision.