The Licensing Sub-Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 14 February 2023 to consider a new premises licence application for Oval Studio, located at 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT. The committee heard representations from the applicant, responsible authorities, and local residents, ultimately deciding to grant the licence with a number of conditions. The meeting also addressed the extension of decision deadlines for several other licensing applications.

New Premises Licence for Oval Studio

The primary focus of the meeting was an application for a new premises licence for Oval Studio, described as a multi-purpose event space. The applicant, Broadwick Live, sought permission for on and off-sales of alcohol, regulated entertainment including live music and film, and late-night refreshment.

Applicant's Case: Simeon Aldred, founder and head of strategy for Broadwick Live, presented the company's case, highlighting their 25-year track record of operating 27 licensed venues across the UK with an unblemished record. He stressed that Broadwick Live is a significantly different operator from the previous licence holder at Oval Studio, with no connection to past issues. The company specialises in hybrid spaces for brands, corporates, and conferences, and intends to use Oval Studio for filming, product launches, conferencing, and learning, explicitly stating it would not be an electronic music venue or nightclub.

The applicant's legal representative, Jonathan Melnick, detailed the extensive conditions (52 in total) that had been agreed upon with responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police. A key condition, number 26, prohibits public ticketed music events. Melnick emphasised that these conditions, along with significantly reduced operating hours aligned with the council's core policy, represented a substantial departure from the previous operation. He also noted that PC Mark Perry of the Metropolitan Police had withdrawn his representation due to agreed conditions.

Representations and Objections: Several objectors raised concerns, primarily focusing on noise, public nuisance, and the suitability of the building for large events. Nicola Cadzow from Environmental Health expressed concerns about noise from the venue and its external terrace, particularly regarding the proposed hours and the number of people permitted on the terrace. She argued for stricter conditions on noise limiters and the use of the external area.

Local residents also voiced strong objections. Dr. Helen Colvin, a GP, highlighted the potential health impacts of noise pollution, including increased risk of heart disease and strokes, and expressed concern for children's sleep and well-being. Residents from Pritchard Road and Empress Works detailed the negative impact of the previous operator's activities, including noise, vibrations, and street litter. They questioned the suitability of the building, citing a lack of soundproofing and the potential for vibrations to affect nearby residential properties, including new developments. Concerns were also raised about the cumulative impact of multiple licensed venues in the area.

Applicant's Concessions and Committee Discussion: During the hearing, the applicant made several concessions in response to the concerns raised. They agreed to reduce the external terrace usage to 9:30 PM, with a cap of 40 people, and to include a noise limiter condition, to be set to the satisfaction of the council's noise officer. They also agreed to a condition prohibiting non-standard timings for extended hours and to a no off-sales policy, with a minor exception for sealed gift items during product launches. Broadwick Live also highlighted their ownership of a security firm, Five Star Security, to manage safety and security for events.

Councillor Peter Golds questioned the comparison of Oval Studio to the East Winter Garden, noting the latter's location in a commercial area with no nearby residents. He also raised concerns about the external terrace's location and the potential for non-standard timings, which the applicant agreed to forgo. The applicant's representative, Jonathan Melnick, explained that the conditions were drafted in line with practices in other licensing authorities and that they were willing to have conditions agreed by the licensing authority for greater comfort.

Decision: The Licensing Sub-Committee deliberated in private and subsequently granted the premises licence for Oval Studio. The decision was made with a comprehensive set of conditions attached, reflecting the agreements and concessions made during the hearing. The committee will communicate the formal decision and reasons in writing within five working days.

Extension of Decision Deadlines

The committee also agreed to extend the decision deadlines for several licensing applications: Sainsbury's in Wapping, Chico's at 28 Osborne Street, and Super Lucky in Brick Lane. These extensions were necessary due to previous adjournments related to the pandemic and regulation 11 of the Licensing Act 2003. The new deadline for these applications was set for 28 February 2023.