The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday, 17 September 2026, to consider three applications for new premises licences. The committee granted one licence with conditions, refused another, and granted the third with conditions.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Breadstall Pizza, 13 Lamb Street, London E1 6EA

The Sub-Committee granted the application for a new premises licence for Breadstall Pizza, located at 13 Lamb Street, London E1 6EA. The licence was granted with a number of conditions, including:

• The supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises must be ancillary to a table meal.
• There will be no off-sales of alcohol.
• No tables or chairs will be placed on Lamb Street.
• No vertical drinking will be permitted.
• The maximum number of persons permitted in the premises at any one time (excluding staff) will not exceed 70.
• Substantial food and non-intoxicating beverages must be available where alcohol is sold.
• Staff will be trained in underage sales laws, with records kept and available on request.
• Measures will be in place to prevent litter and waste accumulation outside the premises.
• A Challenge 25 proof of age scheme will be operated.
• No noise generated on the premises shall emanate from the premises or be transmitted through the structure so as to cause a nuisance.
• No fumes, steam or odours shall be emitted from the premises so as to cause a nuisance.
• A direct telephone number for the premises shall be available to residents.
• An incident log shall be kept.
• Cooking fumes, odours, smoke, grease or other emissions will be extracted by a recirculating filtration system.
• Sound insulation will be installed to a standard agreed with the Council's Environmental Health Officer, including an acoustic ceiling and soundproofing to the party wall with 14 Lamb Street.
• Signage will be displayed advising patrons not to smoke on Lamb Street, and staff will monitor the frontage.
• Licensable activity will not take place until an updated plan showing the removal of the orangery has been submitted.

The application had attracted numerous representations from local residents and residents' associations, primarily concerned with the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance and the premises' location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). Arguments against the application focused on potential noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour associated with late-night alcohol sales and the premises' proximity to residential properties. The applicant, represented by Matthew Butt KC, proposed several concessions, including restricting off-sales to delivery only, removing the orangery from the licence plan, and agreeing to soundproofing. The Sub-Committee found that the applicant had rebutted the presumption in favour of refusal within the CIZ policy, concluding that the proposed mitigations would ensure no additional impact.

Application for a New Premise Licence for Mr Detroit, 39 Brick Lane, London, E1 6PU

The Sub-Committee refused the application for a new premises licence for Mr Detroit, located at 39 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU. The application sought authorisation for the provision of late-night refreshment (indoors) from 23:00 to 03:00 seven days a week.

The application received representations from the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health (Noise) Service, primarily concerned with the potential impact on the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance and the premises' location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). Arguments against the application highlighted the late hours, the potential for noise and disturbance from customers and delivery drivers, and the lack of robust mitigation measures. The applicant's representative, Mr Mifta Ahmed, acknowledged the CIZ and proposed controls such as closed doors, CCTV, and staff training. However, the Sub-Committee was not satisfied that the applicant had rebutted the presumption against refusal within the CIZ policy, concluding that the proposed conditions were not exceptional and would not sufficiently mitigate the potential negative impact.

Application for New Premises Licence for 68 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PL

The Sub-Committee granted the application for a new premises licence for Puppa, located at 68 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PL. The licence was granted with conditions.

The application sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol (on-sales) from 12:00 to midnight daily, late-night refreshment (indoors) from 23:00 to midnight daily, and regulated entertainment (recorded music) from 08:00 to midnight daily. Representations were received from the Licensing Authority and a local resident, primarily concerning the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, and the premises' location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).

The applicant, represented by Ms Kaur and Mr Panchal, made amendments during the hearing, including restricting basement covers to 18 and aligning licensable activity hours within the Council's framework hours. They also agreed to the Licensing Authority's proposed conditions. Ms Driver, representing the Licensing Authority, confirmed no further concerns after these amendments. The Sub-Committee considered the premises to fall within a possible exception to the CIZ policy due to its characteristics and the agreed conditions, concluding that the licensing objectives would be adequately promoted.

Extension of Decision Deadline: Licensing Act 2003

The Sub-Committee also agreed to extend the decision deadlines for two applications:

• Wapping Hydraulic Pump Station, Wapping Wall, E1W 9ST
• The Art House by Acrylicize, 30-36 Pritchards Road, London E2 9AP

These extensions will push the decision deadlines to 30 November 2026.