This meeting was scheduled to consider applications for new and varied premises licences, one for a new restaurant in Shoreditch, one for a variation to the licence for an off-licence on Old Street, and one for a variation to a licence for a pub on Hackney Road. It was also scheduled to consider the adoption of new hearing procedures for licensing applications.

Application for a Premises Licence: Pizzalux, Unit A Principal Place, London EC2A 2FA

This application was submitted by Jensen Ventures Limited to obtain a new premises licence to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, and to serve late night refreshment. The applicant, Jensen Ventures Limited, is owned by Paul Campbell, a restaurateur who was previously Director of Restaurants at Harrods. The application was originally for the sale of alcohol from 11am to midnight on Friday and Saturday, but this was reduced to 11pm after representations were received by the council. The application originally included permission for the playing of recorded music but this was removed from the application after the Environmental Health Authority raised concerns.

Two representations from local residents opposed the application on the grounds that it would increase crime and disorder and public nuisance in the area, but one of these was withdrawn after conditions were offered by the applicant. The remaining representation notes that:

Principal Tower is a residential tower, and the building is not fitted with the necessary acoustic insulation to prevent the vibration and noise levels from a music venue, part of this tower block, to reverberate throughout the entire tower block.

The report notes that the application is in Shoreditch, which is subject to a Cumulative Impact Policy¹ that means that applications for new premises licences are likely to be rejected unless the applicant can demonstrate that they will not add to the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area.

Variation of a Premises Licence: British Food and Wine Store, 329 Old Street, London EC1V 9LE

This is an application from Deniz Food and Wine Ltd to vary an existing licence for an off-licence to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol until 3am from Thursday to Saturday, and until 3am on bank holidays and New Year's Eve.

Representations objecting to the application were received from the Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Authority. The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about:

later hours [that] may negatively impact the local area which is highly saturated with both ON and OFF licensed venues, and which are far outside the hours in the councils licensing policy.

The Licensing Authority noted that:

The premises is within Shoreditch where recent research carried out on behalf of the Council shows that the area suffers from the negative cumulative impact as a result of the large number of night-time, licensed venues in the area.

Two representations were also received from local residents opposing the application on the grounds that it would increase crime and disorder, public nuisance and risk to public safety in the area. One of the representations noted that the area around the premises:

presents a significant public safety risk with drunk people interacting with fast moving traffic on old Street.

This application was previously considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee at a meeting held on 5 June 2024, but the meeting was adjourned after the discovery of a clerical error on the existing licence.

Variation of a Premises Licence: Looking Glass, 49 Hackney Road, London, E2 7NX

This application was submitted by MKM Entertainment Limited to vary the licence for a pub to extend the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol, the playing of recorded music and the performance of dance until 3:30am on Friday and Saturday.

Representations were received from the Environmental Health Authority and the Licensing Authority. The Environmental Health Authority objected on the grounds of public nuisance, but withdrew their representation after conditions were offered by the applicant. The Licensing Authority also objected on the grounds of public nuisance, noting that:

this locality suffers from significant issues due to the cumulative impact of nearby premises.

The Metropolitan Police also submitted a representation objecting to the application but later withdrew it after the applicant offered conditions. The report pack included a suggested condition that no new customers would be admitted to the premises after 2:30am.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure (Pages 13 - 14)

The report pack included a proposed new procedure for hearings of the Licensing Sub-Committee. The procedure sets out the steps that will be taken at a hearing, from the appointment of a Chair to the announcement of the decision. It also includes information on the rights of applicants, responsible authorities and other persons to speak at a hearing.