The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee met on Monday 5 October 2026 and decided to grant a variation to the premises licence for Tops Pizza, extending its late-night refreshment hours. The Sub-Committee also agreed on specific recommendations to ensure the extended hours uphold licensing objectives.

Grant of a Premises Licence Variation for Tops Pizza

The Sub-Committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for Tops Pizza, located at 764 Lea Bridge Road, Walthamstow, E17 9DN, to extend its late-night refreshment hours. The applicant sought to extend these hours from the current end times (which vary between 2:00 am and 4:00 am depending on the day) to 4:00 am every day of the week.

During the consultation period, eight representations were received from other persons, raising concerns related to the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance, public safety, and preventing crime and disorder. These concerns included potential issues with noise, sleep disturbance, anti-social behaviour (ASB), litter, crime and disorder, and public safety.

The Sub-Committee heard representations from the applicant, Mr Sayed Gobadi, who highlighted that Tops Pizza is a well-established business with a presence since 1998 and operates around 90 shops across the UK. He explained that the extended hours would help the business remain competitive and meet customer demand for late-night food. Mr Gobadi assured the committee that the business has policies in place to protect the licensing objectives, including staff training and procedures for reporting and cooperating with the police. He stated that Tops Pizza only sells pizza, does not sell alcohol, and does not use deep frying, thus minimising smells. The applicant also noted that their delivery vehicles are electric, reducing noise and pollution, and that they exclusively use their own employed drivers, allowing for better management of deliveries and parking. The Sub-Committee was informed that the premises already operates until 4:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays without any recorded complaints.

While acknowledging and sympathising with the concerns raised by the other persons who did not attend the hearing, the Sub-Committee was of the view that there was no evidence to suggest that the venue would cause ASB or nuisance if the variation was granted. They expressed confidence in the applicant as a responsible and well-established business that would adhere to the law and uphold the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee determined to grant the variation in full, extending the late-night refreshment hours to 4:00 am every day. In addition to the granted variation, the Sub-Committee agreed on the following recommendations, which are not legally binding but which the applicant agreed to observe:

• Deliveries to be carried out only by the premises' own employed drivers.
• All deliveries after 10:00 pm to be carried out from the front of the premises only.
• No walk-ins to be permitted during the extended hours of 2:00 am to 4:00 am.

The decision was considered appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives. Parties have the right to appeal this decision to Thames Magistrates' Court within twenty-one days of notification.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Caramel Quin (Chair), Councillors Lisa Bryan and Peter Richardson. Officers present included Donya Kalantari (Committee Lawyer), Sherman Xavier (Licensing Officer), Sibel Emirali, and Chris Foxton (Democratic Services Officers).¹