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Licensing Sub Committee - Thursday, 17th July, 2025 6.30 p.m.

July 17, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The Licensing Sub Committee met to discuss a new premises licence for Karma Cans Ltd, and for Vertus J1-J3 Limited, with a decision on the Vertus application being resolved prior to the meeting. The sub-committee heard from the applicants for Karma Cans, residents who had raised objections, and a licensing officer.

Karma Cans Licence Application

The sub-committee reviewed an application for a new premises licence for Karma Cans Ltd, located at 38-50 Pritchards Road, London E2 9AP. Karma Cans, represented by Mr Jack Spiegler, solicitor, and Ginny Newton and Eki, the company's founders, sought the licence to add the opportunity to provide a limited selection of alcohol by way of off-sale to their long-standing catering business, and to allow local people to eat their food on-site in a small 45-seater eatery.

The report presented by Corinne Holland, licence officer, noted that the application lacked a specific unit number, potentially covering the entire block. The proposed licensable activities included on and off-site sale of alcohol from 8am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 11.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 8am to 10pm on Sunday. Late night refreshment was applied for Monday to Saturday, 11pm to 11.30pm.

Mr Spiegler stated that the proposed hours for licensable activities were within the council's policy framework hours, with no proposals for regulated entertainment or external drinking. He emphasised the hours were absolutely business critical for this proposal in order to facilitate a second dinner sitting in the evening, and any reduction in hours would make the venture unviable.

Two local residents had objected to the application. Mr Spiegler said that the residents seemed primarily concerned about the hours and the risk of noise. He said that the applicant intended to install new glazing behind the existing roller shutter frontage, and new acoustic panels to help mitigate the risk of noise outbreak.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed asked about mitigations for noise, and Mr Spiegler said that condition 7 required an egress policy, so there would be a dispersal policy, all aimed at making sure that when people leave the premises, they do so quickly, quietly, and respect the local residents.

Another councillor asked how the applicant would mitigate for people standing outside, waiting to be seated, and Gini Newton said that the design included an area around the bar, so people can use that space while they're waiting.

In response to a question about waste management, Sharon Alexander, representing the applicants, said that the business prided itself in protecting the kitchen from any form of infestation, and that they had built special cages that are not outside our kitchen.

Following questions, it was clarified that the premises operated within unit A.

Another councillor raised the issue of bottle bank noise, and Mr Spiegler said that they would be happy with a condition along the lines of no emptying of bottle banks to take place between 10pm and 8am the following morning.

Finally, there was a discussion about Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training1, and it was agreed that rather than all staff, the directors of the company, the designated premises supervisor2, and any manager should be the ones who have that training.

Vertus Licence Application

The sub-committee also discussed an application for a new premises licence for Vertus, 50-60 Charter Street, London E22 3AS. However, this item was resolved prior to the meeting.


  1. WAVE training is a program designed to equip staff with the skills to identify and assist vulnerable individuals in licensed premises. 

  2. A designated premises supervisor (DPS) is a personal licence holder who is responsible for authorising the sale of alcohol on a licensed premises. 

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Amina Ali
Councillor Amina Ali  Labour Party •  Bow East
Profile image for Councillor Abdi Mohamed
Councillor Abdi Mohamed  Labour Party •  Bow East
Profile image for Councillor Bellal Uddin
Councillor Bellal Uddin  Aspire •  Blackwall & Cubitt Town
Simmi Yesmin
Jonathan Melnick
Lavine Miller-Johnson
Mohshin Ali
Corinne Holland
David Wong
2 Vacancies

Topics

Karma Cans Ltd Jack Spiegler Ginny Newton Eki licence officer Corinne Holland Noise Ward Councillor for Bethnal Green North Councillor Abdi Mohamed Sharon Alexander Waste management Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training designated premises supervisor Vertus J1-J3 Limited
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