The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Naan Staap, a restaurant and takeaway located at 209 Ilford Lane, Ilford. The committee refused the application for the premises licence.

Application for a Premises Licence for Naan Staap

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Naan Staap, located at 209 Ilford Lane, Ilford. The applicant, Naan Staap Ilford Ltd, sought authorisation for late-night refreshment and recorded music, with proposed opening hours extending until 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday.

The application was met with objections from several responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team, the Council's Licensing Enforcement Team, and the Community Protection Task Force. These objections were primarily based on concerns that granting the licence could undermine the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and preventing public nuisance. Representations were also received from a ward councillor and a local resident, echoing these concerns.

A key issue raised during the hearing was that the premises is located within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The Council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹ establishes a rebuttable presumption that applications for new premises licences within a CIZ will be refused unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated to show that granting the application will not add to the cumulative impact in the area.

The Metropolitan Police highlighted that no rebuttal statement addressing the CIZ had been provided and that the proposed conditions were limited and potentially unenforceable. They argued that extending trading hours would contribute to the existing cumulative impact, leading to increased public nuisance and potential crime.

The Council's Licensing Enforcement Team pointed to the history of nuisance and anti-social behaviour in the Ilford Lane area, particularly concerning delivery driver activity, customer dispersal, and noise disturbance affecting residents. They stated that the applicant had not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the licence would not exacerbate these existing issues.

The Community Protection Task Force also objected, referencing evidence of fixed penalty notices and anti-social behaviour warnings in the area. They expressed concern that later trading hours would increase footfall and associated nuisance, placing further pressure on local residents and enforcement resources, especially given the residential nature of the area.

The applicant acknowledged administrative errors in the application and explained that the business was family-operated and had previously operated late into the evening. They stated that procedures had been introduced to improve licensing oversight and expressed a desire to work constructively with the Council. The applicant indicated willingness to accept conditions related to CCTV, staff training, customer dispersal, and delivery driver management.

However, the Sub-Committee was not satisfied that exceptional circumstances had been demonstrated to rebut the presumption of refusal within the CIZ. They noted significant inaccuracies and omissions in the application, including a lack of meaningful engagement with the CIZ policy. Concerns were also raised about the applicant's understanding of the licensing framework and the inconsistencies between the written application and their oral submissions.

Ultimately, the Sub-Committee concluded that granting the licence as sought would likely undermine the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and preventing public nuisance. They were not convinced that the applicant had rebutted the presumption of refusal applicable to new premises licence applications within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone.

Decision: The application for a new premises licence in respect of Naan Staap, 209 Ilford Lane, Ilford, IG1 2RU was REFUSED.