The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday, 27 February 2024, to consider two applications for new premises licences. The application for Code Floors 3-4, 34 Westferry Circus, London E14 8RR, was adjourned at the applicant's request and will be reconsidered on 23 April 2024. The application for Wang Wang, 4a Commercial Street, London, E1 6LP, was granted with several conditions.

Application for a New Premise Licence for Wang Wang, 4a Commercial Street, London, E1 6LP

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Wang Wang, a grocery store located at 4a Commercial Street, London, E1 6LP. The application sought authorisation for the sale by retail of alcohol (off-sales only) from 08:00 to 21:00 hours, Monday to Saturday. The premises is situated within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), an area identified as having a high concentration of licensed premises contributing to issues of crime and disorder and public nuisance.

Representations against the application were received from the Licensing Authority, SPIRE Resident Association, and one local resident. These objectors argued that granting the licence would exacerbate existing problems within the CIZ, particularly concerning crime and disorder and public nuisance. Concerns were raised about the proximity of the premises to hostels for vulnerable individuals with a history of alcohol and substance abuse, and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour.

Mr. Derek Stewart, the applicant's licensing representative, and Mr. Balbinder Sidhu, a director of the applicant company, explained that the proposed hours were modest and within the framework hours. They emphasised that the premises would operate as a grocery store specialising in oriental foods, with alcohol sales being ancillary to the main business. The alcohol offered would be limited to oriental products such as sake, Asahi, and Soju, with prices ranging from £15 to £95, intended to deter problem drinkers. Alcohol would not be self-served but kept behind the counter, similar to a tobacco display.

The Licensing Authority, represented by Mr. Mohshin Ali, maintained concerns about the impact on the CIZ, stating that the application did not meet the criteria for exceptions and therefore could not demonstrate that it would not negatively impact the licensing objectives. Mr. Ali accepted that the premises were within framework hours but believed that granting the licence would adversely affect the licensing objectives, particularly concerning access and egress.

Mr. Christopher Lloyd, representing SPIRE, reiterated concerns about the premises being located in an anti-social behaviour hotspot near hostels for vulnerable individuals. He argued that any off-sales licence in this area would inevitably lead to increased anti-social behaviour and that the CIZ was specifically designed to prevent such issues.

The Sub-Committee heard that the applicant was willing to agree to several conditions, including the installation of CCTV, an incident log, a Challenge 25 proof of age scheme, and a personal licence holder being on duty at all times the premises is open. They also agreed to a condition limiting alcohol display to a specific area behind the counter and restricting sales to Oriental products or similar alternatives.

Decision: The Sub-Committee granted the premises licence for Wang Wang. They determined that the applicant had rebutted the presumption against granting the licence within the CIZ. This decision was based on the limited hours of operation, the ancillary nature of alcohol sales to the main grocery business, the high price point of the alcohol offered, and the proposed and agreed conditions. The Sub-Committee imposed two additional conditions: one restricting alcohol sales to Oriental products or similar alternatives, and another specifying the area for alcohol display.

The granted licence authorises the sale by retail of alcohol (off-sales only) from Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 21:00 hours, with the premises open to the public during the same hours.

Application for a New Premise Licence for Code Floors 3-4, 34 Westferry Circus London E14 8RR

This application was adjourned at the request of the applicant and will be considered at a future Licensing Sub Committee meeting on 23 April 2024.