The Redbridge Council licensing sub-committee was scheduled to convene to consider a new premises licence application for Popeyes, a Louisiana chicken restaurant on Ilford High Road. The application sought permission for late night refreshment, with the restaurant closing to the public at 1am but continuing delivery services until 3am. Councillors were expected to consider the application in light of objections from the police, the council's licensing enforcement team, and public health officials.

Here's a breakdown of the key items on the agenda:

Popeyes New Premises Licence Application

PLK Chicken UK Limited applied for a new premises licence for Popeyes, located at 109 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1DE. The application requested permission to provide late night refreshment from 11pm to 3am, Monday to Sunday. The restaurant proposed to close to the public at 1am, operating a delivery-only service between 1am and 3am.

The application described Popeyes as a Louisiana chicken restaurant that does not serve alcohol, and included a schedule of proposed conditions to promote the licensing objectives.

Objections from Responsible Authorities

The council received objections from three responsible authorities:

• The Metropolitan Police Licensing Team argued that granting the licence could undermine the prevention of crime and disorder, and the prevention of public nuisance. They cited the council's statement of licensing policy regarding premises supplying takeaway food and drink, which notes that such premises can attract large groups of customers who have consumed alcohol, potentially leading to noise and disturbance. The police also highlighted that the premises is located within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).[^1] [^1]: Cumulative Impact Zones are areas where the concentration of licensed premises is such that it is considered to have a negative impact on the licensing objectives. The police stated that the application had not expressed any exceptional circumstances for it to be granted, and asked that the application be refused in full.
• The Council's Licensing Enforcement Team also objected, stating that granting a premises licence based on the application received would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.
• Public Health officials also objected, raising concerns about public nuisance and safety, and the protection of children from harm. They noted that the premises is located within a CIZ with a high number of licensed premises, and that levels of obesity and diabetes in the area are higher than average. They stated that regular consumption of fast food is directly linked to increasing obesity levels, and that studies suggest that consuming calories later in the day is associated with increased risk of developing obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Policy Considerations

The report pack included a reminder that the premises is located within the Ilford Town CIZ, where there is a rebuttable presumption that new premises licences will be refused. It was noted that only in exceptional circumstances, where an applicant can demonstrate that granting an application will not add to cumulative impact, may a licence be granted.

The council's statement of licensing policy outlines framework hours for licensed restaurants and cafes in the Ilford Town area as:

• Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:00
• Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 00:00
• Sunday: 11:00 to 23:00

The report noted that the application sought hours significantly beyond these recommended framework hours, and that the activities and timings proposed suggested the venue may be operating closer to what would be expected from a premises supplying takeaway food and drink.

Options Available to the Sub-Committee

The licensing sub-committee was asked to consider the report and make a decision on whether to:

• Grant the application
• Grant the application, including the addition of terms and conditions
• Grant the application in part only, including the addition of terms and conditions
• Reject the application

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The sub-committee was scheduled to follow a set procedure for the hearing, including:

• An officer of the licensing authority presenting a summary of the application.
• The applicant presenting their case, including calling witnesses.
• Questioning of the applicant and witnesses by responsible authorities, interested parties, and committee members.
• Each responsible authority and interested party presenting their case.
• Questioning of the responsible authorities and interested parties by the applicant and committee members.
• Summing up by each responsible authority, interested party, and the applicant.
• The sub-committee then deciding the matter in private.
• Official notice of the decision being sent to all parties within 5 working days.