The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Thursday 12 September 2024 to consider a premises licence application. The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for Aroma, located at 951 Green Lane, Dagenham.

Premises Licence Application: Aroma, 951 Green Lane, Dagenham

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Aroma, located at 951 Green Lane, Dagenham, RM8 1AD. The application, submitted by Jed Tech London Ltd, sought permission for the sale of alcohol and the provision of late-night refreshment.

The report pack indicated that eight representations had been received against the application. These included one from a ward councillor, supported by two other ward councillors, seven from residents, and one from a responsible authority. The application proposed operating hours for the sale of alcohol from 09:00 to 23:45 Monday to Thursday, 09:00 to 01:45 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 09:00 to 22:45 on Sundays, with extended hours on days preceding a bank holiday. Late-night refreshment was proposed from 23:00 to 23:45 Monday to Thursday, and 23:00 to 01:45 on Fridays and Saturdays, also with extended hours on days preceding a bank holiday.

Amendments to the application had been agreed between the applicant, the Metropolitan Police Licensing Officer, and the Council's Environmental Protection Officer. These amendments included a reduction in operating hours and the addition of specific conditions. However, no agreement had been reached with the interested parties who had made representations.

The report outlined the four licensing objectives that the Sub-Committee must consider: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The committee had three options: to refuse the application, to approve it with necessary conditions, restrictions, or reductions, or to grant the application in full as submitted.

The representations from Councillor Andrew Achilleos, Councillor Glenda Paddle, and Councillor Mukhtar Yusuf, on behalf of the Whalebone Ward residents, raised concerns about increased public nuisance due to illegal parking, congestion, and potential conflict between customers of multiple alcohol-serving establishments in the vicinity. They also highlighted the proximity to Robert Clack School and the potential safety implications for young people.

Several residents also submitted objections, citing concerns about safeguarding issues due to the proximity to Robert Clack School, potential for increased anti-social behaviour, noise, traffic congestion, and littering. Some residents expressed a preference for the premises to be used for community-focused activities rather than a restaurant serving alcohol.

Agreements reached with the Metropolitan Police included a revised terminal hour of midnight for licensable activity from Monday to Saturday, with the venue closing at midnight. A condition was proposed stating that Persons who are not paying for a table meal or purchasing a takeaway meal may not be served alcohol at the venue, save for 8 persons at the bar awaiting a table or takeaway meal. Conditions relating to door supervisors were also amended.

The Environmental Protection Team initially raised concerns regarding late opening hours for late-night refreshment, particularly for indoor and outdoor areas, despite the applicant stating no live or recorded music. They requested further clarification on the nature of activities during late-night refreshment hours and proposed conditions related to music volume, parking management, dispersal of attendees, prominent signage, and a direct telephone number for the manager. Following further discussions and amendments, including the applicant agreeing to keep windows and external doors closed after 21:00, and the installation of a sound limiting device, the Environmental Protection Team withdrew their objection, subject to the applicant providing more information and a relevant mitigation plan.

The applicant's representative, Peter Conisbee, provided a letter detailing further proposed amendments and responses to public representations. These included a revised operating schedule with earlier closing times, a commitment to the Women's Safety Charter, 'Ask for Angela' and 'Ask for Clive' schemes, and additional conditions regarding the sale of alcohol to those seated at tables, no outside seating at the front, and no drinks taken outside. A specific condition was proposed stating that On any school day, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted on the premises before 1600 hours, unless accompanied by an adult. The start time for the sale of alcohol was also proposed to be moved to 11:00. The applicant also addressed concerns about parking, littering, and anti-social behaviour, outlining measures such as directing customers to parking facilities and implementing a dispersal policy.

The report pack also included appendices detailing the application form, plans, representations from the ward councillors and interested parties, and agreements reached with the police and Environmental Protection Team.