The Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on 23 January 2026 considered an application for a premises licence for The Palms Hotel (Boka By Palms). The committee decided it was in the public interest to adjourn the hearing to allow for a site visit and to clarify discrepancies in the application.

Application for a Premises Licence - The Palms Hotel (Boka By Palms)

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for The Palms Hotel (Boka By Palms), located at Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch, RM11 3UJ. The application was made by Boka By Palms Ltd.

During the discussion, a discrepancy was noted regarding the proposed operating hours for late-night refreshment. The blue notice (public notice) indicated hours until 12 a.m. (midnight) on Mondays to Wednesdays, while the application itself requested hours until 1 a.m. for the same period. The legal advisor highlighted that if the application sought to increase hours beyond what was advertised, the consultation period might need to be reopened, potentially requiring an adjournment.

The committee also expressed a need for a site visit to better understand the premises' layout and operation, particularly given the complexity of the application and the relationship with the existing hotel licence. This was supported by PC Chris Stockman, a member of the East Area Licensing Team, who noted that a site visit would be beneficial for the subcommittee's understanding.

The applicant's representative, Sarah Clover, argued against an immediate adjournment for a site visit, citing the additional costs involved and suggesting that the hearing could proceed to hear submissions first. However, the committee members felt that a site visit was crucial for a fair hearing and to avoid making a potentially incorrect decision.

Ultimately, the committee decided that it was in the public interest to adjourn the hearing to allow for a site visit. Following further discussion, the meeting was adjourned, with a site visit scheduled for 29 January and the resumed hearing scheduled for 10 February at 1 p.m.