The Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled to convene to consider applications for new premises licences. Councillor Anna Abela, Chair of Licensing Committee, and Councillor Nick da Costa were scheduled to be in attendance. The sub-committee was to consider applications for Baby Cakes, Habesha Lounge, and Post Boat on the River.

Post Boat on the River

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises application submitted by Ms M Brennan for Post Boat on the River, River Lea, Tottenham Hale. The application requested permission to sell alcohol off the premises and play recorded music between 11:00 and 21:00, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack noted that the boat was not officially moored at the proposed location on the River Lea. It also included correspondence from the Canal River Authority stating that it had not given permission for a secured location. The report pack stated that a boat is considered a premises under the Licensing Act 2003 even if it is moving and not tied to a specific location, and therefore needs a premises licence to sell alcohol.

The report pack included a letter from Tom Jackson, Regional Moorings Manager (South) at the Canal & River Trust, objecting to the proposed premises licence. Mr Jackson stated that the applicant did not have permission to be permanently moored at the location, and that they lacked the appropriate business licence and necessary insurances to operate legally on the waterways. Mr Jackson also stated that granting a premises licence could create a misleading expectation that permanent mooring is permitted, which it is not.

Howard Clark, Area Operations Manager, East at the Canal & River Trust, also objected to the proposed premises licence, citing safety concerns, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour in the area, and operational and regulatory issues associated with the vessel. Mr Clark stated that the application proposed the sale of alcohol in close proximity to lock infrastructure and the riverfront, both of which present inherent dangers. He also stated that the towpath is a heavily trafficked public right of way, and that any use of it for commercial purposes would present a clear and unacceptable trip hazard to pedestrians and cyclists.

Amir Darvish, Noise & Nuisance Officer at Haringey Council, also recommended refusal of the application, citing safety concerns regarding the gap between the vessel and the edge of the footpath, and the lack of CCTV cameras covering the area where customers will interact with staff.

The report pack also included a series of emails between the applicant and various parties, including the Canal & River Trust and Haringey Council. In these emails, the applicant clarified that they intended to operate as roving traders, and that they had been advised to apply for a premises licence in the area as a first step. The Canal & River Trust responded that they could not support the application as a roving trader selling alcohol, as alcohol licences are location-specific, and boats must be at a fixed, licensed point to sell alcohol legally.

Police agreed with the suggested timings, but requested that a number of conditions be added to the operating schedule under the licensing objectives. These included conditions relating to CCTV, incident logbooks, staff training, secure storage of alcohol, and the prevention of public nuisance.

Habesha Lounge

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a new premises application for Habesha Lounge, 485A Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham. Dawit Fessahaye, trading as Habesha Lounge, requested permission for plays, recorded music and late night refreshment. The application also requested permission to sell alcohol between 17:00 and 22:00 Sunday to Wednesday, 17:00 to 23:00 on Thursdays, and 17:00 to 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The report pack noted that Mr Fessahaye had accepted the representation from the Noise RA and Police. It also stated that attempts had been made to contact the people that had made representations, but to no avail.

Charlene Thorneycroft, Noise and Nuisance Officer at Haringey Council, submitted a representation for the premises application, which had been agreed to by the applicant. Ms Thorneycroft proposed that the hours for regulated entertainment and late night refreshment on Fridays and Saturdays be reduced to 23:00 to 00:00, and that the hours open to the public be reduced to 17:00 to 23:00 Monday to Thursday, 17:00 to 00:30 Friday and Saturday, and 17:00 to 22:00 on Sundays. Ms Thorneycroft also proposed a number of conditions to be added to any licence granted, relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Baby Cakes

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence at Baby Cakes, 321 West Green Road, London. Atakan Kartal applied for permission to provide late night refreshment and to remain open to the public between 13:00 and 02:00, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack noted that Mr Kartal is also the licence holder at Atakan Supermarket, the adjoining property.

The police agreed with the requested timings, but suggested that a number of conditions be added to the operating schedule, relating to CCTV, the prevention of public nuisance, and public safety.

Representations were received from local residents objecting to the application. Their objections cited concerns about increased noise, anti-social behaviour, and littering.

Yaseeur Rahman, Noise and Nuisance Officer & Licensing Officer at Haringey Council, also made a representation on the grounds of prevention of public nuisance. Mr Rahman proposed changes to the opening hours of the business, including conditions. He suggested that late night refreshment should only be permitted between 13:00 and 00:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and between 13:00 and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Mr Rahman also proposed a number of conditions, including that no loitering of customers be permitted at the front of the premises after 21:00, and that no more than two customers be permitted to smoke at the front of the premises at any one time.