Licensing Sub Committee C was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for VOMFASS at Unit 2, Block 7, 8 Bollinder Place, London EC1V 2AN. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes of its previous meeting.

New Premises Licence Application: VOMFASS, Unit 2, Block 7, 8 Bollinder Place, London EC1V 2AN

The Licensing Sub Committee C was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for VOMFASS, located at Unit 2, Block 7, 8 Bollinder Place, London EC1V 2AN. The application was to allow the sale of alcohol on and off the premises, and for the premises to be open to the public, between the hours of 10:00 and 22:00, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack indicated that representations had been received from a local resident. The applicant, Whales Leisure Ltd trading as VOMFASS Islington (City Rd), had responded to these concerns, and one resident objector had subsequently withdrawn their representation. The Metropolitan Police had reviewed the application and had not submitted any representations. The Council's Noise Service had initially made representations but had withdrawn them after the applicant agreed to additional conditions.

The premises are located within the Bunhill Cumulative Impact Area¹, meaning the committee was scheduled to consider Islington's Licensing Policy 3, which creates a presumption of refusal unless the applicant can demonstrate that granting the licence would not have an adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives². The report pack suggested that if the application were to be granted, it should be subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule and any other conditions deemed appropriate by the sub-committee to promote the four licensing objectives.

The operating schedule outlined the applicant's intention for VOMFASS to operate primarily as a specialist retail store selling premium wines, spirits, liqueurs, and related products, with the majority of alcohol sales intended for consumption off the premises. The application also included provision for on-site consumption for events and tapas-style socialising, with a designated area for the consumption of food and drinks purchased on site. The applicant proposed to implement a Challenge 25 age-verification policy, install CCTV, and maintain a refusals register.

The applicant's representative had communicated with the objectors, explaining that the business model was not intended to operate as a conventional bar or drinking establishment, but rather as a specialist retailer that would host controlled product tastings and demonstrations. They highlighted their experience with a similar VOMFASS store in Stamford, which they stated had operated successfully alongside residential accommodation without causing issues. The applicant was prepared to accept conditions including no consumption of alcohol outside the premises, no outdoor drinking area, small, controlled samples for tastings, and limits on the number of attendees at organised events.

The report pack also detailed conditions agreed with the Council's Noise Service, restricting waste collections and deliveries to between 08:00 and 21:00 daily, and stipulating that noise and vibration should not emanate from the premises to cause a nuisance.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Licensing Sub Committee C was scheduled to consider and agree the minutes of its previous meeting, which was held on 21 May 2026. These minutes are available to view at Minutes of Previous Meeting.pdf.