The Licensing Committee of Hackney Council was scheduled to discuss updates on the Late Night Levy and various regulatory changes impacting the borough. The meeting agenda also included a review of regulatory updates concerning licensing reforms, the Health and Care Act 2022, and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Late Night Levy Year 8, Quarter 4 Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the activities of the Late Night Levy (LNL) during the fourth quarter of Year 8, which ran from 1 August 2025 to 31 October 2025. The report indicated that total receipts for this quarter amounted to £112,279, bringing the year-to-date total to £412,247.

The update was expected to cover training and awareness initiatives, with 65 nightlife and security staff trained during the quarter, and 37 completing first aid courses. Additionally, attendees of Stoke Newington, Shoreditch, and Dalston Pubwatch groups had received training in the administration of Naloxone.

The report was also set to detail advice services and engagement activities, noting 218 engagement visits and advice sessions. There was an anticipated increase in noise issues, with 354 noise alerts issued, most of which were reportedly resolved quickly due to venue cooperation. A grant of £100,000 from the Greater London Authority (GLA) was received to facilitate Al Fresco dining in Shoreditch, involving street closures on weekends from August 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026, with no noise complaints registered by local residents during this period.

Regarding the Hackney Nights portal and accreditation scheme, there were no new accredited venues, bringing the total to 51, with two venues removed due to ownership transfers. The Hackney Nights portal saw 15 additional sign-ups.

The report was also to provide information on policing, enforcement, and welfare efforts, including the establishment of welfare areas on Rivington Street in Shoreditch, which offered various amenities and services to over 5,000 visitors. The Late Night Levy board convened in October to discuss future initiatives, including welfare areas, a joint campaign against gender-based violence, a tri-borough campaign, and a Christmas Safety Campaign. The committee was recommended to note the report and its appendices.

Regulatory Updates

The committee was scheduled to be informed about upcoming regulatory changes. This included a government consultation on licensing system reform, which aimed to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses. The Licensing Service, in collaboration with the Markets Team, had prepared a submission, with a response expected by spring 2026. The consultation sought evidence on developing a national licensing policy framework, enabling license holders to remove outdated conditions, amalgamating premises licensing with outdoor trading, increasing limits on Temporary Event Notices, preventing blanket policies, and formalising the agent of change principle. Concerns were noted regarding the potential impact of these proposed changes on the council's resources, with a point being made about the unchanged Licensing Act 2003 fees since 2005.

The committee was also to be updated on the Health and Care Act 2022, which allows for a new licensing scheme for certain treatments currently licensed under the London Local Government Act, such as those offered by nail bars, tattooists, and massage parlours. This new scheme would involve dual licensing for individual practitioners and premises, with a three-tier, risk-based system. Higher-risk procedures would be regulated by the Care Quality Commission, and operating without the necessary licenses would become a criminal offence.

Furthermore, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, then at the committee stage in the House of Lords, was to be discussed. This Bill proposes a new retail licensing scheme for tobacco, vapes, and other nicotine products to strengthen enforcement, protect children, and tackle illicit sales. All businesses selling these products would require a license, with the potential for refusal or revocation for repeat offenders. Selling products without a license would become a criminal offence, carrying unlimited fines. The report indicated that while there were no immediate financial considerations, implementation could impact Trading Standards resources, and the Bill's provisions would grant powers to set fees.

Any Other Business

Under this item, the Licensing and Corporate Lawyer was scheduled to provide an update on licensing appeals. These included an appeal dismissed for UNIT 7 September 2026, where the council was awarded costs; an appeal settled for Unit B3, 3 Bowl Court, resulting in a revised premises license; an appeal hearing set for Chestnut Gardens Entertainment Limited; an appeal against interim steps issued for Sumiya Japanese; and an outstanding appeal against conditions added to the premises license for 118 Curtain Road (Curtain Call). The committee was also scheduled to receive thanks for the hard work and diligence of the Licensing and Corporate Officer and the Business Regulation Team Leader.