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Licensing Sub Committee - Thursday, 1st May, 2025 6.30 p.m.

May 1, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The Tower Hamlets Licensing Sub Committee met to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Vittoria Wharf Studios and an application for a variation to the Club Premise Certificate for Globe Town Community Association. No decisions were made at the meeting, and the decision deadline was extended for both applications, as well as for Feast Express, Asia Villa and Power League Paddle.

Vittoria Wharf Studios Licence Application

Vittoria's Secret Limited applied for a new premises licence for Vittoria Wharf Studios, located at 10 Stour Road, London, E3 2NT. The applicant, represented by Mr Rees Rose and Mr Thomas Fletcher, described the premises as a single-room, multi-purpose studio and event space. The application sought to extend the opening hours on Friday and Saturday from 1am to 3am, with a corresponding extension for the sale of alcohol and recorded music.

Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, clarified that while the application was for a new licence, it was technically a variation of an existing licence granted on 25 June 2024. The applicant confirmed that the application related only to Unit 4 of the premises, as complaints were being received for the wider area of 10 Stour Road, which consists of over 20 units.

The application received objections from:

  • Nicola Kadzo, presenting on behalf of Tim Hull, Noise Officer
  • Youri Lee, a local resident
  • Several other residents

Iona Constantino, a resident of the same warehouse yard, spoke in support of the application.

Objections Raised

  • Public Nuisance: Nicola Kadzo, presenting the views of Tim Hull, the noise officer, raised concerns about public nuisance due to the late hours, particularly regarding people leaving the venue between 3am and 3.30am when there is no public transport available. She suggested that the increased use of taxis and Ubers, and people walking through residential areas in high spirits, would cause disturbance. >Nicola Kadzo said: So one of the real problems for us with regards to public nuisance is people leaving the venue every weekend at 3...potentially 3.30am in the morning.
  • Cumulative Nuisance: Youri Lee argued that dispersal inherently causes disturbance and that previous events had already generated nuisance, regardless of whether they originated from the applicant's premises. He also highlighted the rapid densification of the area and the potential for the extended hours to set an unsustainable precedent. >Youri Lee said: What's important to me is that it's a cumulative additional nuisance that could be caused by the extended hours.
  • Unclear Condition: Concerns were raised about a condition relating to access to the site, with Corinne Holland noting that the wording was unclear and potentially unenforceable. The condition stated that egress slash ingress shall not be permitted at any time via the canal path and shall be via the lit corridor marked by the black caged area and the lights.

Arguments in Support

  • Accountability: The applicant stated that they had applied for the original licence to operate legally and be accountable for their activities. They also stated that they had operated as a private hire space for the last 10 years, and were trying to bring the current accountable, licensed, regulated and conditioned premises application into place so that it covers them for the same activities that have taken place there over the last 10 years.
  • No Complaints: The applicant stated that they had operated until 3am on 10 occasions using temporary event notices[^2] (TENs) over the last six months, and no complaints were received related to those later operations. >The applicant said: over the last six months there have been 10 days where we've used temporary event notice extensions to operate until 3am. And after communicating with the environmental health and police teams, there were no complaints received related to those later operations of the premises.
  • Dispersal Policy: The applicant detailed their dispersal policy, which includes a staggered dispersal, stopping the performance and alcohol sales, and a 30-minute period with no music to allow customers to plan their journey home. They also stated that the police had seen the dispersal policy in action and found it suitable.
  • Limited Impact: Iona Constantino, a resident in the same warehouse yard, stated that she had not experienced any issues with noise from the unit and that their entrance and exit are separate from the other live-work spaces. She also suggested that granting the licence would encourage other spaces to operate in a more licensed and official way.

Questions and Clarifications

  • The applicant confirmed that they would surrender their existing licence if the new licence was granted.
  • The capacity of the venue is 110 people, limited by the stairwells.
  • Councillor Faroque Ahmed questioned why the dispersal policy did not include any provision for the use of SIA[^1] accredited personnel to manage the dispersal of patrons. The applicant responded that SIA personnel were not always required, but that they had agreed with the police to add a condition requiring SIA on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • The applicant clarified the access routes to the premises, explaining that there are multiple roads that taxis could use to drop off and pick up customers.

Globe Town Community Association Licence Variation

The Globe Town Community Association, located at 152-156 Roman Road London E2 0RY, applied for a variation to their club premise certificate. The application sought to extend the hours for the sale/supply of alcohol and to add regulated entertainment (live music).

Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, explained that the application was to extend the hours in the evening on Monday to Friday until midnight, Saturday until 12:30am, and Sunday until 10pm. The application also included the provision of regulated entertainment for live music on Saturday only, from 11pm to 11:30pm.

The application received objections from:

  • Several residents
  • Chaterhouse Tenants Association

Mr John Embry represented the applicant. Mr Steve Murray and Fabrizio Labrosi represented the objectors.

Objections Raised

  • Noise Disturbance: Objectors raised concerns about noise disturbance, particularly from live music, and the impact on residents living in the Chaterhouse residential block above the premises. Stephen Murphy, director and chairman of the Chaterhouse Tenants Association, stated that late night consumption of alcohol and loud music tends to increase late night noise disruption. >Stephen Murphy said: late night consumption of alcohol and loud music is a combination we know from our experience living in the building tends to increase late night noise disruption from within or outside of the licensed premises or antisocial behaviour or both
  • Lack of Engagement: Stephen Murphy stated that there had been no proactive engagement from the Globe Town Community Association with the Chaterhouse Tenants Association about their plans to extend their license hours and activities, which did not give residents confidence that their concerns would be taken seriously.
  • Impact on Quality of Life: Fabrizio Labrosi, a resident living directly above the premises, stated that he had experienced noise from the venue, including recorded music played regularly every night, live events held without a licence, and noise from slamming doors and dragging chairs. He expressed concern that the extended hours would further disrupt his sleep and quality of life. >Fabrizio Labrosi said: I just want to have a decent quality of life and I want to be able to go to bed at a decent time and I want to spend every Saturday night like having to listen to a singer to be honest with you
  • Ineffective Soundproofing: Fabrizio Labrosi questioned the effectiveness of the soundproofing, stating that he could still hear noise from the premises.

Arguments in Support

  • No Previous Issues: The applicant stated that they had been in the Globes Family Community Association for over 30 years and had never had any issues with the police or fights. They also stated that the premises are soundproofed and have cameras.
  • Community Benefit: The applicant stated that they provide a space for the community, including carers for the council, and that they do not charge them for the use of the space.
  • Limited Impact: The applicant stated that they only want an hour's extension on a Saturday night and that they have had temporary event notices until 12:30am previously without any complaints.

Questions and Clarifications

  • The applicant confirmed that members of the club do not smoke in the back of the premises and that there is no smoking area.
  • The applicant explained the membership process, stating that members have to be nominated by someone in the area and pay a membership fee.
  • The applicant stated that the maximum number of people in the club on one night is 45 to 55, and that they have soundproofing installed and shut the shutters down when the music starts.
  • The applicant agreed to consider reducing the live music time on Saturday night, potentially starting earlier and finishing 30 minutes earlier.
  • Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, noted that the conditions agreed with the noise team included anti-vibration mounts for speakers and a noise limiter.

[1]: SIA refers to the Security Industry Authority, the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom. [2]: A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is a notification to the licensing authority and police of the intention to undertake licensable activities on unlicensed premises for a temporary period.

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorPeter Golds
Councillor Peter Golds  Chair of Licensing Committee •  Conservative •  Island Gardens
Profile image for CouncillorShahaveer Shubo Hussain
Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain  Labour Party •  Bromley South
Profile image for CouncillorFaroque Ahmed
Councillor Faroque Ahmed  Labour Party •  Whitechapel
Profile image for CouncillorLeelu Ahmed
Councillor Leelu Ahmed  Labour Party •  Mile End
Profile image for CouncillorMusthak Ahmed
Councillor Musthak Ahmed  (Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth) •  Aspire •  Bethnal Green West
Profile image for CouncillorSuluk Ahmed
Councillor Suluk Ahmed  Aspire •  Spitalfields & Banglatown
Profile image for CouncillorSabina Akhtar
Councillor Sabina Akhtar  Aspire •  Stepney Green
Profile image for CouncillorAmina Ali
Councillor Amina Ali  Labour Party •  Bow East
Profile image for CouncillorAhmodur Khan
Councillor Ahmodur Khan  Scrutiny Lead for Resources •  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Profile image for CouncillorAbdul Malik
Councillor Abdul Malik  Chair of Human Resources Committee •  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Profile image for CouncillorAna Miah
Councillor Ana Miah  Chair of Pensions Committee •  Aspire •  Shadwell
Profile image for CouncillorAbdi Mohamed
Councillor Abdi Mohamed  Scrutiny Lead for Community Safety •  Labour Party •  Bow East
Profile image for CouncillorBellal Uddin
Councillor Bellal Uddin  Scrutiny Lead for Adults and Health Services •  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
1 Vacancy
Simmi Yesmin