The Licensing Sub Committee for Haringey Council convened to consider an application for the review of a premises licence. The application pertained to Hornsey Arms Ltd, formerly known as Hornsey Tavern, located at 26 Hornsey High Street, London, N8. The report pack included the application and supporting documents, a copy of the premises licence, representations from the police, ward councillors, and residents, and Section 182 Guidance information¹.

Application for Review of Premises Licence

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for the review of the premises licence for North Eight – Hornsey Arms Ltd, submitted by the Noise RA (Regulatory Authority). The primary concern cited in the application was the prevention of crime and disorder, with secondary concerns for the prevention of public nuisance and ensuring public safety.

The application stated that the operation of the premises had resulted in public nuisance due to large numbers of patrons congregating outside, instances of fights, and noise nuisance.

The report pack noted that the premises licence holder (PLH) and designated premises supervisor (DPS) was named as Ms Jemma Crucifix, and that the premises was licensed for regulated entertainment (live music and recorded music) and the supply of alcohol, both on and off the premises.

The report pack included the times the licence authorised the carrying out of licensable activities:

• Regulated Entertainment: Friday and Saturday 20:00 to 00:00
• Supply of Alcohol: Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 03:00
• New Years Eve: from the start of permitted hours on 31 December until the start of permitted hours on 1 January.

The opening hours of the premises were listed as:

• Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 03:30
• New Years Eve: from the start of permitted hours on 31 December until the start of permitted hours on 1 January.

The report pack stated that representations had been received from the Metropolitan Police, ward councillors, and residents, detailing complaints and police attendance due to reported anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The report pack outlined options available to the sub-committee, including:

• Modifying the conditions of the licence
• Excluding a licensable activity from the scope of the licence
• Removing the designated premises supervisor
• Suspending the licence for a period not exceeding three months
• Revoking the licence

The report pack stated that both the licence holder and the applicant have the right to appeal to the Magistrates Court, depending on the decision of the sub-committee.

The report pack noted that the premises licence was initially issued under 'Grandfathered rights'² in November 2005. It also noted that the premises was taken over by Mr Thomas Kearns in 29th October 2021 under the name of The Hornsey Tavern Ltd, and that the premises was reviewed by a resident on 14th March 2022, due to noise issues late evening and into the early hours of the morning, and that the Licensing Sub Committee (LSC) determined to add conditions to the licence at the time.

The report pack stated that the premises licence was then transferred on 14th March 2024 to Hornsey Arms Ltd, and that Mr Thomas Kearns is also the director of that company.

The report pack quoted the council's licensing policy, stating that the Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the complaints history of the premises and all other relevant information. It also stated that where reviews arise in respect of criminal activities and the Sub-Committee determines that the crime prevention objective is being undermined, revocation of the licence should be seriously considered.

The report pack included a copy of a review application form from Craig Bellringer, Noise and Nuisance Officer, citing an extensive complaints history since 12 September 2022, with 82 reports of music and people noise. The application noted that some reports were outside of service hours (Thursday to Sunday 6pm to 2am).

The application stated that officers attended a local resident's property on 13 January 2024 and could hear excessively loud music, issuing an abatement notice³. It also stated that on 29 March 2024, loud music was observed and a fixed penalty notice was issued and paid, and that on 15 February 2025, officers attended and could hear a specific song within the resident's property and issued a further Fixed Penalty Notice.

The application stated that Mr Craig Bellringer had met with Mr James Kearns, director of the company, three times to discuss the noise issues and how to mitigate them.

The application also stated that the licensing police team had raised concerns about fights and the management's inability to control patrons.

The application recommended changing the hours to reduce the risk of public nuisance and removing regulated entertainment from the licence, specifically recommending the following hours:

• Supply of Alcohol: Sunday to Thursday 12:00 to 23:30, Friday and Saturday 13:00 to 23:30
• Opening hours of the premises: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 00:00

The report pack included a copy of a premises licence, with the premises licence holder named as Hornsey Arms Ltd, and the designated premises supervisor named as Jemma Leighan Crucefix.

The report pack included representations from the police, stating that the premises had been subject to multiple incidents involving violence and breaches of its licensing conditions. It stated that since March 2024, police had been called to the premises on twenty six separate dates, with the majority of calls relating to violence. The police stated that the venue had become a hotspot for violence and public order offences.

The police representation stated that Mr James Kearns was spoken to on 14 February regarding an altercation and that he would bar the people that caused issues. It also stated that during a licensing visit on 14 March, Mr James Kearns acknowledged multiple breaches of the licensing conditions, including only hiring one SIA⁴ door supervisor during the weekends, not having a refusals book, and issues with obtaining CCTV footage.

The police representation stated that since the police visit on 14 March, there had been a further two incidents, including an assault on a hired entertainer and a fight where police officers were subjected to racial abuse.

The police representation summarised that the premises licence holder had demonstrated an inability to uphold the licensing objectives and had been unable to provide any solutions to the crime and disorder. It recommended that the venue close at 00:00 with the supply of alcohol being stopped at 23:30, and that there be a minimum of two SIA door staff every night of the week.

The report pack included representations from local residents, raising concerns about noise, anti-social behaviour, and safety issues. The residents reported frequent fights, broken glass, public urination, and loud music. They also stated that the pub did not seem to be doing anything to break up the antisocial behaviour.

One resident stated that they had witnessed pub clients arguing with delivery drivers for another local business, threatening them and causing damage to parked vehicles.

Another resident stated that they had been targeted with verbal threats and racial abuse, and had a glass bottle thrown at them.

The report pack included a representation from Councillor Adam Small, stating that he was submitting the representation on behalf of numerous concerned residents. Councillor Adam Small stated that there was a consistent pattern of anti-social behaviour, noise disturbance, and criminal activity associated with the premises, and that the existing licence hours were excessive and incompatible with the residential nature of the surrounding streets.

Other Matters

The agenda included standard items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and urgent business.