The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to consider an application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for The Nightingale pub. The committee was also scheduled to review the procedure for licensing hearings.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to review the established procedure for conducting licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the steps to be followed, including the order in which parties present their cases, the questioning of witnesses, and the process for summing up arguments. The procedure also details how decisions are to be made and communicated to the relevant parties.

Temporary Event Notice for The Nightingale

The main focus of the meeting was scheduled to be an application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for The Nightingale, located at 51 Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, London, E11 2EY. The TEN was submitted by Christopher David Vassiliou, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for The Nightingale.

The proposed event was scheduled to take place on Saturday, 9 May 2026, from 19:00 to 23:30. The licensable activity requested was the provision of regulated entertainment, specifically DJ music. The application described the event as taking place within the pub's main bar area, with DJ equipment set up and live recorded music as a non-licensable activity. It was noted that a sound limiter would be in place, and extra staff, including SIA staff, would be present to adhere to licence conditions. The event was planned to conclude by 11:30 pm out of consideration for neighbours, with a maximum of 99 attendees, including staff.

An objection notice had been received from the Community Protection Task Force (CPTF), acting as Environmental Health (Noise). The CPTF raised concerns that the event could undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance. The report pack detailed the legal framework for TENs, including the requirements for notification, the grounds for objection, and the potential decisions the committee could make: to allow the event, allow it with existing premises licence conditions imposed, or issue a counter notice.

The report pack also referenced the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which outlines the approach to TENs, and highlighted the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly concerning the right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions and the right to a fair hearing.

The report pack included details of the existing Premises Licence for The Nightingale, which authorises the supply of alcohol and late-night refreshment. It also detailed conditions attached to the licence, including those relating to noise management, CCTV, staff training, and the operation of a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme.

The CPTF's objection notice, included in the report pack, detailed concerns arising from previous visits to The Nightingale. These included observations of loud music and bass audible at street level, the sound limiter appearing to be tampered with or not used correctly, and the presence of Daniel Sherman, the former DPS, behind the bar and appearing to be involved in serving customers, despite conditions on the premises licence stating he should be removed from managerial or non-managerial roles, save for bookkeeping. The CPTF expressed a loss of faith in the venue's ability to adhere to licensing objectives and conditions.

The committee was scheduled to consider the Temporary Event Notice application, with potential outcomes including allowing the notice, imposing existing premises licence conditions, or issuing a counter notice.