The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Monday 1 December 2025 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Brati A&A Cafe. The committee resolved to approve the application, with the condition that the sale of alcohol on Sundays would conclude at 10pm.

Application for Premises Licence for Brati A&A Cafe

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Brati A&A Cafe, located at 530 Rainham Road South, Dagenham, RM10 7XD. The applicant, Lulzim Brati, sought permission to sell alcohol from 10am to 10:30pm, Monday to Sunday.

During the hearing, the subcommittee heard from the licensing officer, the applicant's agent, and three interested parties who had submitted representations against the application. The representations raised concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm.

Arguments from Interested Parties:

One resident, who lives directly above the premises, expressed significant concerns about potential noise, smoke, and increased anti-social behaviour. They highlighted existing issues in the area, including drug use and littering, and stated that the proposed alcohol sales would exacerbate these problems. The resident also detailed personal health issues, including severe COPD and heart failure, and expressed fears that noise from the cafe would negatively impact their health and ability to rest. They also noted that there were already five other establishments selling alcohol within a short distance.

Another resident echoed these concerns, emphasizing the existing crime and drug-related issues in the area, exacerbated by a lack of CCTV. They also raised concerns about parking and the potential for increased drink-driving. This resident also identified as a recovered alcoholic and expressed a personal understanding of the impact of alcohol-related issues.

A third interested party raised concerns about the construction work at the premises, including working outside permitted hours and using pneumatic drills without apparent regard for health and safety regulations. They also questioned whether the necessary planning permissions were in place for the construction and highlighted issues with contractors blocking resident parking and causing damage. While acknowledging these were construction-related issues, they argued that the applicant's current disregard for regulations during construction suggested a potential for future non-compliance with licensing conditions.

Applicant's Response:

The applicant's agent and Mr. Brati responded to the concerns, emphasizing that the establishment would be a café, not a bar or nightclub, and that alcohol sales would be ancillary to food. They outlined measures to promote the licensing objectives, including:

• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Installation of a CCTV system, maintenance of refusal and incident logs, staff training on responsible alcohol service, and adherence to operating hours.
• Prevention of Public Nuisance: Encouraging customers to leave quietly, managing waste disposal, and ensuring doors and windows are kept closed to minimise noise. They stated that the rear parking area would not be used for drinking.
• Public Safety: Compliance with fire safety regulations, adequate fire-fighting equipment, and staff training on emergency procedures.
• Protection of Children from Harm: Implementation of a strict Challenge 25 policy for age verification and training for all staff on underage sales.

The applicant also addressed the concerns about noise from the resident living above, stating that soundproofing had already been installed and that normal café activity would not create a noise nuisance. They also offered to close alcohol sales at 10pm on Sundays to address resident concerns.

Decision:

The subcommittee considered all oral and written representations, along with the relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and the council's own licensing policy. They were satisfied that the licensing objectives would be promoted if the application were granted.

The subcommittee resolved to approve the application for a premises licence, with the condition that the sale of alcohol on Sundays would conclude at 10pm. Any party affected by this decision has the right to appeal to the Magistrates Court.