The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council scheduled a meeting to take place on 14 August 2025. The meeting included discussion of declarations of interest, confirmation of procedure, and a new premises licence application. The application was for The Cause, Space 4, 5, 6 and 7 The Silver Building, 60 Dock Road, Silvertown, E16 1YZ.

New premises licence application - The Cause, Space 4, 5, 6 and 7 The Silver Building, 60 Dock Road, Silvertown, E16 1YZ

The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee were asked to consider a new premises licence application for The Cause, Space 4, 5, 6 and 7 The Silver Building, 60 Dock Road, Silvertown, E16 1YZ. The applicant was DL Food & Drink Ltd.

The application requested permission for:

• Supply of alcohol (on): Monday to Thursday 12:00 - 00:00, Friday 12:00 - 06:00, Saturday 09:00 - 06:00, Sunday 09:00 - 00:00
• Plays (indoors): Monday to Sunday 12:00 - 00:00
• Films (indoors): Sunday to Thursday 12:00 - 00:00, Friday to Saturday 12:00 - 06:00
• Live music (indoors): Monday to Thursday 12:00 - 23:00, Friday to Saturday 12:00 - 06:00, Sunday 12:00 - 23:00
• Recorded music, performance of Dance (indoors) and anything similar: Monday to Thursday 12:00 - 00:00, Friday 12:00 - 06:00, Saturday 08:00 - 06:00, Sunday 08:00 - 00:00
• Late night refreshment (indoors): Sunday to Thursday 23:00 - 00:00, Friday to Saturday 23:00 - 05:00
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 00:00, Friday 10:00 - 06:00, Saturday 08:00 - 06:00, Sunday 08:00 - 00:00

The report pack noted that representations against the application had been made by ward councillors and a tenant of the Silver Building.

Councillors Steve Brayshaw and Caroline Adaja objected to the request on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. Councillor Steve Brayshaw stated that they had received many complaints from residents about noise and disturbance late at night, and that revellers did not leave quietly. He added that taxis honking for pickups and traffic noise had made the issue intolerable for residents of the western side of Britannia Village.

A tenant of the Silver Building, Laurence Passera, complained that the existing nightclub, The Cause, was already proving incredibly disruptive. He stated that club customers queue alongside his units, making equipment deliveries impossible. He also stated that he had to work around The Cause's events to avoid clashing with his own guest evenings. He also raised concerns about drug use and a recent stabbing. He suggested that the licence should be reappraised to allow only The Cause to hold their own events, with no third-party sub-letting, and that a capacity limit should be applied.

The report pack included a summary of the Silver Building Event Operational Procedures, derived from the Event Safety Management Plan (ESMP). The document outlined key points of operational control decided upon after risk assessment and consultation with responsible authorities. The procedures covered pre-event planning, fire safety and evacuation, third party promoters, capacities, controls for sale of alcohol, CCTV coverage and control, door control/stewarding/searches & security/entry & last admission, drug/weapons action, noise management action, protection of children from harm, staff competence and training, refusals book, medical, welfare and vulnerability engagement, films, and dispersal policy.

The report pack also included the existing premises licence for the Silver Building, which authorises the supply of alcohol, performance of dance, exhibition of a film, performance of live music, performance of recorded music, performance of a play, and late night refreshment.