The Licensing Sub-Committee considered two applications for new premises licences. The first, for an adult gaming centre, was granted with conditions, while the second, for a craft beer bar, was granted after extensive discussion regarding operating hours and external area usage.

Palace Amusements, 450 Bethnal Green Road

The committee granted a new premises licence for an adult gaming centre, Palace Amusements, at 450 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0HG. The application was made by Palace Amusements, a family company run by brothers Jeremy and Jordan Godden, with Mr. Stephen Lawrence as COO.

Representations were made by ward Councillor Kevin Burry and local residents. Mr. Philip Colvin, representing the applicant, argued that the company operates its 10 venues safely and without significant issues, adhering to strict age verification policies, including Think25 and independent third-party testing. He highlighted that adult gaming centres differ from betting offices, with staff actively monitoring the premises and no communal seating encouraging loitering. Mr. Colvin stated that the applicant had proposed additional conditions, agreed with objectors, which would raise operational standards in the locality. He also stressed that general concerns about the number of gambling establishments or the need for them were matters for planning, not licensing.

Councillor Burry, however, raised concerns about the specific location in Bethnal Green, describing it as an area with high levels of social housing, deprivation, and anti-social behaviour, with numerous drinking establishments and proximity to homelessness services and other support organisations. He argued that another gambling establishment would likely lead to significant problem gambling and exacerbate existing issues, particularly given the presence of several schools nearby and the exposure of teenagers to such premises.

The committee discussed the proximity of schools and the potential for children to be exposed to the premises. Mr. Colvin countered that adult gaming centres are not attractive to children, unlike family entertainment centres, and that his client's venues have a strong record of compliance with age restrictions. He also addressed concerns about alcohol, stating that no alcohol is permitted on the premises and intoxicated individuals are refused entry. The committee also considered the visibility of the premises from the street, with the applicant agreeing to a condition that gambling would not be visible from outside.

Kill the Cat, 14 Market Street

A new premises licence was granted for Kill the Cat, a craft beer bar at 14 Market Street, London E1 6DT, operated by Bishop Square, S-A-R-L. The application was for the sale of alcohol for on and off-site consumption.

The application was met with representations from the licensing authority and environmental protection, primarily concerning cumulative impact and public nuisance. Mr. Walsh, representing the applicant, explained that the Spitalfields estate, the landlord, carefully vets its tenants and that the proposed operator, Kill the Cat, has a proven track record in a cumulative impact zone in Brick Lane, trading without regulatory concern. He noted that the application included the surrender of a licence for 43 Brushfield Street, which had been granted on the surrender of a licence for 12 Market Street, adjacent to the proposed premises. Mr. Walsh argued that the new application was effectively replacing the licence for 12 Market Street, which had operated for 15 years without issue and had no express conditions. He highlighted that Kill the Cat focuses on craft beer and premium products, with food available as an accompaniment, and that the premises would not operate as a restaurant.

Ms. Kathy Driver, presenting the report, confirmed that the licensing authority and environmental protection had made representations. Mr. Moshin Ali, from the licensing authority, stated that the removal of certain conditions from previous licences, specifically regarding the sale of alcohol and the external area, could impact licensing objectives. Ms. Katcha, from environmental protection, expressed concerns about public nuisance from the external area, particularly in the cumulative impact zone, and proposed that the external area should not be used after 9 p.m., with a limit of five people.

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the use of the external area. The applicant's acoustic consultant, Mr. Torben Anderson, presented a report suggesting that the external area could operate until 10 p.m. without adverse noise impact, based on ambient background noise levels and a projected reduction in usage after 9 p.m. The committee debated the proposed closing time for the external area, with the applicant eventually suggesting a compromise of allowing usage until 10 p.m., with a reduced capacity of 12 people between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., aligning with other premises in the Spitalfields estate.

The committee also discussed the condition that alcohol consumed outside must be by seated patrons and that any open vessels must be closed when taken beyond the external area. The applicant agreed to surrender the licence for 43 Brushfield Street upon the granting of the new licence, with a condition that the new licence could not be used until the surrender was complete and the previous licence was no longer capable of revival. The committee also considered the proposal that alcohol would not be ancillary to food, but that food would be available at all times. The applicant confirmed that off-sales would be permitted, as is standard for such premises, but expressed confidence that this would not lead to increased nuisance due to the premium nature of the products sold.

The committee decided to grant the licence with amended conditions regarding the external area usage, allowing it to be used until 10 p.m., with a reduced capacity of 12 people between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and a condition that patrons must be seated when consuming alcohol in the external area. The surrender of the existing licence was also stipulated as a condition.