The Licensing Sub-Committee granted a premises licence for Station Parade Lounge, located at 1 Station Parade, Hornchurch, RM12 5AB. The decision was made after considering representations from interested parties and agreeing to a comprehensive set of conditions to promote the licensing objectives.

Application for Premises Licence: Station Parade Lounge

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for Station Parade Lounge, located at 1 Station Parade, Hornchurch, RM12 5AB. The applicant, Station Parade Lounge Limited, sought permission to sell alcohol from 12:00 to 23:00 daily and to open from 07:00 to 23:00 daily. The premises, formerly a barbershop, is intended to operate as a restaurant and cafe.

During the consultation period, conditions were agreed with the Metropolitan Police Licensing Unit. These included that alcohol would only be sold to customers seated and eating a meal, and that alcohol would be served by waiter or waitress service only. Further conditions were agreed with the Licensing Authority, covering CCTV, a Challenge 25 proof of age policy, staff training, the maintenance of a refusals and incident book, and measures to prevent patrons from congregating outside the premises.

Two representations were made against the application. Pamela Davis, Vice Chairwoman of the Elm Park Royal British Legion, and Councillor Julie Wilkes, the Ward Councillor for Elm Park, raised concerns about public safety, anti-social behaviour, noise, and the protection of children. Mr. Stuart Aiken, a local resident, also objected on similar grounds, specifically highlighting concerns about noise disruption from the proposed outdoor seating area and the potential for anti-social behaviour due to late-night alcohol sales. Mr. Aiken also questioned the definition of a meal in relation to the alcohol sales conditions.

The applicant's legal representative, Andrew Barnes, addressed these concerns. He clarified that the premises would not be a shisha bar and that the outdoor seating area, covered by a pavement licence¹, would close at 21:00. He also stated that the applicant had lived in the area for 25 years and owned another business on the same street, demonstrating a strong understanding of the local community and its challenges. The applicant agreed to further conditions, including that off-sales of alcohol would be restricted to the pavement licence area between 12:00 and 21:00, that a direct telephone number for the manager would be publicly available, and that all doors and windows would be closed after 21:00 to mitigate noise. Additionally, deliveries of alcoholic products would be restricted to between Monday and Saturday, 8am to 6pm, and all tables and chairs from the outside area would be removed by 21:00 daily. Crucially, alcohol would only be served ancillary to a substantial meal.

After deliberation, the Licensing Sub-Committee decided to grant the premises licence. The decision was made with a series of conditions attached, including those agreed with the police and licensing authority, as well as additional conditions imposed by the committee. These conditions aim to ensure the promotion of the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The committee noted that no objections were received from responsible authorities such as the police or environmental health.