The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider an application to vary a premises licence for Frankie's Wine Bar in Hornchurch. The committee will also receive information regarding the procedure for hearings under the Licensing Act 2003.

Application to Vary Premises Licence for Frankie's Wine Bar

The main item scheduled for discussion is an application to vary the premises licence for Frankie's Wine Bar, located at 29 Station Lane, Hornchurch. The application, made by Frankie's Bar (Hornchurch) Limited, seeks to extend the terminal hour for the supply of alcohol, recorded music, and late-night refreshment from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report pack indicates that there have been three representations of support for this application from interested persons. However, there are also three representations against the application from responsible authorities: the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police, and Havering's Environmental Protection team.

The Metropolitan Police have raised concerns regarding the potential for increased crime and disorder, and public nuisance, particularly during the late-night economy. They note that the proposed extension would allow patrons to remain in and disperse from Hornchurch Town Centre at a later hour, potentially increasing alcohol-related incidents and placing further strain on policing resources. The police also highlight that the premises has been associated with four incidents of violence against the person in the preceding two years.

Havering's Environmental Health team has also submitted a representation, objecting to the extension on the grounds of preventing public nuisance. They state that the Council's Environmental Protection Team has received noise complaints regarding Frankie's Wine Bar in the summer of 2024 and more recently in April and July 2026. The team believes that extending the hours by an additional hour would be unreasonable and would increase public nuisance for neighbouring residential properties, particularly those located above the commercial units. They also note that no other premises in the immediate vicinity open beyond 1:00 AM.

The application is situated within the Hornchurch Town Centre Cumulative Impact Policy area. This policy creates a rebuttable presumption that applications that add to the existing cumulative impact will normally be refused, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the operation will not add to the cumulative impact and will not adversely affect the promotion of the licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority's representation notes that the applicant has not demonstrated exceptional circumstances or provided evidence to show the variation would not add to cumulative impact.

In response, the applicant has proposed a suite of additional conditions to promote the licensing objectives. These include enhanced CCTV, the provision of door supervisor staff from 10:30 PM to 2:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, a no late admission policy from midnight, a written customer dispersal policy, staff training on licensing objectives and alcohol sales management, and a no ID, no entry policy. An impact statement from Mr Edward Charles Chaplin, a licensing agent, has also been provided, arguing that the application has merit and should be granted.

Procedure for Hearings under the Licensing Act 2003

The committee will also be provided with information regarding the procedure for hearings under the Licensing Act 2003. This document outlines the steps involved in considering applications, representations, and the determination of hearings by the Sub-Committee. It details the roles of participants, procedural matters, and the powers of the Sub-Committee, including the exclusion of persons from hearings and the recording of proceedings.