The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 5 March 2024 to consider an application for a premises licence for Robin Hood Fish Bar. The committee granted the licence with amended conditions.

Robin Hood Fish Bar Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a premises licence for Robin Hood Fish Bar, located at 4 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham RM8 2JA. The application, submitted by London Broast Limited, sought permission for late-night refreshment from Sunday to Thursday between 11pm and midnight, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11pm to 2am, including a delivery service.

Two representations were received opposing the application, both citing the licensing objective of public nuisance. One objection came from a local resident, Gemma Hensby, who raised concerns about potential anti-social behaviour from customers leaving late at night, particularly given the proximity to residential properties and another business that already experiences noise disturbances. The second objection was from Donna Cramer, owner of the adjacent flower shop, who expressed concerns about potential damage to her premises and general nuisance.

During the application process, the Metropolitan Police engaged with the applicant. An agreement was reached to reduce the operating hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 2am to midnight. This amendment meant the premises would operate for late-night refreshment from 11pm to midnight, Monday to Sunday.

The applicant, Hafiz Saif U Rehman, stated that the premises would operate as a hot food takeaway with no seating area and would not sell alcohol. He argued that these measures would minimise the potential for public nuisance. He also noted that the Metropolitan Police, a key stakeholder in preventing public nuisance, had agreed to the amended timings.

The Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Faraaz Shaukat, with members Councillor Victoria Hornby and Councillor Lynda Rice, deliberated on the application. Following their deliberations, the committee resolved to grant the premises licence. The decision was made subject to a comprehensive set of conditions, including:

• No alcohol to be sold at the premises.
• No customers to be permitted to access or remain on the licensed premises after midnight.
• Prominent notices to be displayed advising customers of permitted hours, last order times, and to respect residents by leaving quietly and not loitering.
• Customers must not bring alcohol onto the premises or consume it there.
• An incident book to be kept and made available to the Police or Authorised Officers.
• Written training records for staff to be maintained and made available.
• All staff to receive induction and regular refresher training.
• A telephone number to be displayed for local residents to contact management with concerns, with details of concerns and actions taken to be recorded.
• A minimum of two members of staff to be on duty when the premises is open.
• Last orders to be taken no later than 15 minutes before the terminal hour.
• A digital CCTV system to be operated and maintained, with recordings kept for a minimum of 31 days and provided to police or council officers upon request. Specific conditions regarding camera placement and image quality were also included.
• Appropriate portable fire and first aid equipment to be provided and staff trained in their use.
• A fire risk assessment and emergency plan to be prepared and reviewed.
• Management and staff to proactively discourage customers from loitering outside and to monitor and dispose of rubbish.
• Delivery drivers to wait inside the premises between deliveries.
• Vehicles used for delivery to switch off their engines when waiting outside.
• Waste to be properly presented for collection.
• Staff arriving or departing late at night to avoid causing disturbance to residents.
• No noise or vibration from the premises to cause a nuisance.
• No unaccompanied children under 16 to be on the premises after 10pm.
• Staff and supervisors to ensure appropriate customer behaviour regarding children.

The meeting concluded at 7:17 pm.