The Licensing Sub Committee A met to consider a new premises licence application for Kzemos, a new immersive games venue on Hornsey Street. While the Metropolitan Police and the council's pollution team had agreed conditions with the applicant, four letters of representation were received from local residents. Ultimately, the committee decided to grant the licence, subject to conditions outlined in the agenda and deemed appropriate to promote the four licensing objectives¹.

Kzemos, 5-7 Hornsey Street - New Premises Licence

The committee approved a new premises licence for Kzemos, located at Units 5b-5c and 7a-7c, 5-7 Hornsey Street, N7 8GA. The licence permits the on-sales of alcohol, films, and recorded music from 10:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday, with opening hours mirroring these times.

Kzemos UK Limited described the premises as a new immersive games venue, hosting puzzle-based games for groups in themed rooms.

While the Metropolitan Police and the council's pollution team initially submitted representations, they were later withdrawn after the applicant agreed to incorporate their recommended conditions into the operating schedule.

However, the council received four letters of representation from local residents, which can be found in the Public Reports Pack. Concerns raised included:

• Potential noise disturbances from patrons congregating outside the venue, especially given the existing issues with noise from individuals drinking in the grassy area near the building. One resident stated:

We already experience significant noise disturbances from individuals drinking on the grassy area outside our building and the sound travels upward in a way that makes it loud even on the 10th floor.

• The impact on the residential character of the neighbourhood, which is home to many families with children.
• Worries about increased anti-social behaviour, public order issues, and potential harm to children due to the sale of alcohol.
• Doubts about the true nature of the business, with one resident alleging that Kzemos had misrepresented itself as a charity aimed at children, while the licence application indicated plans for serving alcohol and playing music until 11pm.
• Concerns about noise and disturbance impacting residents, particularly those in the Newlon Key Worker priority block² near the venue.

Despite these objections, the sub-committee decided to grant the licence, subject to conditions consistent with the operating schedule and any additional conditions deemed necessary to promote the four licensing objectives. These conditions include that:

• The licensable activities must be ancillary to the main function of the premises as an immersive games venue.
• Alcohol may only be supplied to persons attending an immersive game experience at the premises.
• A maximum of 100 persons (excluding staff) are permitted on the premises at any one time.
• Non-alcoholic beverages (including drinking water) must be available throughout the premises where alcohol is provided.
• Records of staff authorised to sell alcohol and refused sales of alcohol must be kept and made available for inspection.
• CCTV must be installed and maintained, with signage indicating its operation and the Challenge 25 scheme³.
• An incident log must be maintained to record crimes, ejections, complaints, and other relevant events.
• Staff must receive training on the Licensing Act, including Challenge 25, refusal of sales, and identifying signs of intoxication.
• Measures must be taken to prevent noise and vibration from causing a nuisance to nearby properties.
• Customers must not congregate outside the venue and must be encouraged to disperse quietly after closing time.

The Planning & Development Section noted that the property has an established lawful use as a gym (Class E⁴). However, the proposed escape room and bar would be considered Sui Generis⁵ and would require planning permission.

Other Business

The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 April 2025.