The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 27 February 2024 to consider two applications for new premises licences. The applications were for Code at 34 Westferry Circus and Wang Wang at 4a Commercial Street. Both applications received representations from responsible authorities and other persons, leading to the need for a hearing.

Application for a New Premise Licence for Code, 34 Westferry Circus, London E14 8RR

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Code, located on Floors 3 and 4 at 34 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London. The applicant, E14 Lounge Ltd, sought permission for the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment. The proposed hours of operation were from 12:00 to 02:00 daily.

Representations were received from the Metropolitan Police, the Licensing Authority, Environmental Health (Noise), and residents. These objections primarily focused on the potential for public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety concerns. The residents of the nearby Canary Riverside Estate raised significant objections, citing the proximity of their homes and the proposed late hours of operation. They highlighted concerns about noise pollution, transportation issues due to limited public transport after midnight, potential for increased anti-social behaviour, light pollution, loss of privacy, inadequate waste management, and public safety risks associated with the proposed entry and exit routes.

The applicant had proposed a comprehensive operating schedule, including measures for CCTV, incident logging, staff training, a Challenge 25 policy, and a noise management plan. The Metropolitan Police also put forward a list of requested conditions, including enhanced CCTV requirements, incident logs, a Challenge 25 scheme, and specific security staffing levels for certain days. Environmental Health officers also submitted proposed conditions related to noise control, including keeping windows and doors closed during regulated entertainment and displaying notices requesting patrons to leave quietly.

The report pack included detailed appendices covering the application form, site plans, maps, photographs of the premises, details of other licensed venues in the vicinity, a noise management plan, and copies of all representations received.

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

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Wang Wang, a grocery store located at 4a Commercial Street, London, E1 6LP. The applicant, Wang Wang 4a Limited, sought permission for the off-sale of alcohol between 08:00 and 21:00 hours, Monday to Saturday.

This application fell within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), and representations were received from the Licensing Authority, Alan Williams (a resident), and Christopher Lloyd, representing Spitalfields Residents Against Anti-Social Behaviour (SPIRE). The core of the objections centred on the premises' location within a known hotspot for anti-social behaviour and its proximity to hostels for vulnerable individuals with a history of alcohol and substance abuse. Concerns were raised that granting an off-licence would exacerbate existing issues of public safety and public nuisance, particularly given the density of licensed premises in the area.

The Licensing Authority's representation highlighted the strict application of the Brick Lane CIA policy, which creates a rebuttable presumption against granting new licences that could add to cumulative impacts. The applicant's operating schedule included conditions such as having a Personal Licence Holder on the premises during certain hours, limiting alcohol sales to specific Oriental products, installing CCTV, displaying notices for neighbours, and operating a Challenge 25 policy. The Metropolitan Police also proposed conditions related to CCTV, incident logs, and a Challenge 25 scheme.

The report pack contained the application form, site plan, maps, photographs of the premises, details of nearby licensed venues, representations from the Licensing Authority and residents, and agreed conditions with the police. It also included extensive information on the Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Cumulative Impact Assessments and the Council's Licensing Policy relating to hours of trading.

Extension of Decision Deadline

The committee was also to note that it may be requested to extend the decision deadline for applications due to the volume of applications requiring a hearing.

The next meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled for Tuesday, 12 March 2024.