The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 30 June 2026 to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Wanstead Golf Club. The meeting's agenda included a review of the procedure for licensing hearings and the specific application from Wanstead Golf Club.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to review the established procedure for conducting licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the steps to be followed during a hearing, including the order in which parties present their cases, the questioning of witnesses, and the process for summing up arguments before a decision is made in private.

Application to Vary Premises Licence: Wanstead Golf Club

The meeting was scheduled to consider the application to vary the premises licence for Wanstead Golf Club in Wanstead. The applicant, WGC24 LTD, sought to extend the licensed area to include on-course refreshment stations at the 9th and 16th holes, where alcoholic beverages would be available for golfers during their game. The application also proposed classifying the golf course, patio, and terrace as consumption areas.

The report pack detailed that the current licence permits the sale of alcohol from 08:00 to 23:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 08:00 to 00:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. The premises are open to the public from 06:00 to 00:00 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 06:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Representations were received from two responsible authorities: the Council's Licensing Enforcement Team and the Metropolitan Police. Both raised concerns that the proposed variation could undermine the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm.

Additionally, four representations were received from other individuals opposing the application on similar grounds, citing potential negative impacts on crime and disorder, public nuisance, child protection, and public safety.

The report pack outlined the potential decisions the Sub-Committee could make, ranging from granting the application in whole or in part, to granting it with modified conditions, or rejecting it entirely.

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the procedure for licensing hearings, which dictates the order of business and the conduct of the committee during such proceedings. This includes the explanation of the procedure by the Chair, the presentation of factual summaries, and the order of evidence from applicants, responsible authorities, and interested parties.