Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine: whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

There were no declarations of interests made.

The rules of procedure were noted.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for 36 Toynbee Street, London E1 7NE. It was noted that objections had been received on behalf of two Responsible Authorities, the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health.

Mr Emanuel Xureb, Applicant, explained that he had been in the drinks trade all his life and had a lot of experience in operating a licensed premises. He explained that the premises was not open yet and if a licence was granted he would sell quality wines and delicatessen food. He would be offering something different from the local supermarkets.

Mr Xureb said that he would be selling premium selected and outsourced wines from Europe, South America, and from small individual farmers across Europe to get unique flavours not on available on the high street. Mr Xureb said that he did not mind reducing the hours of operation. He stated that he would look to employ local people and train young staff. He wanted to start a good business and make it look nice.

Members then heard from Ms Nicola Cadzow, Environmental Health Officer, who confirmed that the premises was in the CIZ. Ms Cadzow shared the concerns of Ms Driver in that there was insufficient information in the application to rebut the CIZ policy. She stated that if Members were minded to grant the application then additional conditions would be needed to promote the licensing objectives.

Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer, explained that her objection was on the basis of public nuisance. She acknowledged that the hours were within the framework hours but noted that the application did not address the impact of the premises on the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). She confirmed that the onus lay on the applicant to demonstrate how the premises would not negatively impact the area and the residents living in close proximity to the premises. She stated the premises plans did not show where alcohol would be stored and, in general, the application failed to adequately address the licensing objectives.

In response to questions the following was noted:

• The applicant would be selling premium wines at affordable prices.
• The applicant was happy to reduce the hours applied for.
• CCTV cameras would be installed at the premises in agreement with the Police.
• All spirits would be kept behind the counter in a glass cabinet.
• The store would be selling wines, spirits, craft beers, soft drinks, water etc.
• The applicant stated that no children under 16 years old would be served alcohol. When questioned further, he confirmed that he was unsure about the legal age to sell alcohol in the UK. He thought it was 16 years old but stated that he had got confused.
• The applicant was previously unaware that the premises was in the CIZ.
• The applicant presumed the issues in the area were under control.
• The applicant would employ door staff if the premises was having issues. He would also install  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

At the request of the Chair, Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for Queens Head, 8 Flamborough street, London E14 7LS. It was noted that the review had been triggered by Environmental Health and supported by the Licensing Authority, Metropolitan Police and local residents.

Ms Nicola Cadzow, Environmental Health Officer, referred to her review application on pages 98-99. She explained that the premises had previously been reviewed by the Licensing Sub-Committee in April 2019 and additional conditions were imposed. 

Ms Cadzow confirmed that the noise team had recently received a number of complaints about the premises from residents regarding loud recorded music and customers shouting and causing disturbance. Following a complaint, two officers visited the premises on 18 July 2020. On their visit they witnessed a group of patrons with raised voices and heard loud music playing at the premises. The premises was in breach of a number of conditions on the licence, in particular the condition prohibiting regulated entertainment.

Ms Cadzow explained that Mr Steve Fairman, the current premises licence holder and Designated Premises Supervisor, was at the previously Licensing Sub-Committee hearing in April 2019 when the licence was reviewed. Therefore, he was fully aware of the conditions imposed on the licence. Ms Cadzow stated that many complaints had been received since 4 July 2020 when premises were allowed to open following the first pandemic lockdown. She explained that on visits to the premises music was clearly audible from 20 meters away, and on the balance of probability, the music was regulated entertainment (recorded music) which has caused public nuisance to local residents. She believed the premises was undermining the licensing objectives for prevention of public nuisance. She stated that there had been a lack of consideration for local residents and a blatant disregard for the law by management. Therefore, Environmental Health sought revocation of the licence.

Members then heard from Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer, who explained that the premises was brought to their attention in October 2018 when management changed over and residents started to regularly complain to the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health. Following the review in 2019, it was agreed conditions were required and Mr Fairman took over as the Premise Licence Holder and DPS as there was various objections over the management by the previous owner Thomas Jeffries Senior who still holds the lease. Thomas Jefferies Junior (his son) lives at the premises and is a personal licence holder in Tower Hamlets. 

After lockdown it was noted that complaints started being received again.  Requests were made to view the CCTV footage but the footage was unavailable which was a breach of the licence conditions. The Licensing Authority was suspicious about the authenticity of the security invoice provided by the licence holder as its searches indicated that the security company was permanently closed. It was also noted that officers waited for CCTV engineers to arrive at the premises for two hours but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.2

The Sub Committee may be requested to extend the decision deadline for applications to be considered at forthcoming meetings due to the volume of applications requiring a hearing.  Where necessary, details will be provided at the meeting.

Nil items.