The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Monday 3 April 2023 to consider an application for a premises licence for Pizza and Ice, located at 25 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Dagenham, RM6 6PU. The committee granted the licence with restricted operating hours, limiting late-night refreshment to Sunday to Thursday until midnight and Friday and Saturday until 1 am, with deliveries only after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pizza and Ice Premises Licence Application

The subcommittee considered an application for a premises licence for Pizza and Ice, a new business at 25 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Dagenham, seeking permission to serve late-night refreshment between 11 pm and 2 am from Sunday to Thursday, and 11 pm to 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, including a delivery service.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police Licensing Officer, PC Owen Dunn, and the Council's Licensing Authority Responsible Authority Officer, Mohammed Serdouk, both objecting to the proposed hours on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance. They argued that the requested hours were excessive for the area, which includes residential properties, and could lead to increased noise, congregation of people, and potential for anti-social behaviour. The police and licensing authority recommended reduced hours, with the police suggesting Sunday to Thursday until midnight and Friday and Saturday until 1 am.

The applicant, Mohamed Asif Nawaz, represented by Graham Hopkins of GT Licensing Consultants, proposed amended hours of Sunday to Thursday until 1 am and Friday and Saturday until 2 am, with deliveries only after 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, these revised hours were not accepted by the police or the licensing authority.

During the hearing, Mr. Nawaz and Mr. Hopkins highlighted that the business had been operating until 11 pm without any complaints and that Mr. Nawaz had five years of experience running a similar business in the London Borough of Newham. They also pointed out that the council's licensing policy does not have framework hours, and that the application should be considered on its own merits. They argued that the requested hours were necessary for the business's viability, especially given the current cost of living crisis. They also presented a dispersal policy and agreed to several conditions, including CCTV, staff training, and a public-facing phone number for residents' concerns.

The Environmental Protection Officer had initially raised concerns about noise but, after reviewing the applicant's dispersal policy, withdrew their formal representation, though they supported the recommended reduced hours for consistency with other nearby businesses.

After deliberation, the subcommittee decided to grant the premises licence but with significantly reduced hours. The licence allows for late-night refreshment from Sunday to Thursday between 11 pm and midnight, and on Friday and Saturday between 11 pm and 1 am. Deliveries will be permitted only after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, with the premises closing to the public at 1 am on those days. The subcommittee stated that while they acknowledged the applicant's proposed measures, they could not ignore the potential implications for public nuisance and crime and disorder in the primarily residential area if the requested late hours were granted. A full written decision was to be sent to all parties within five working days.