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 interest.

The rules of procedure were noted.

At the start of the hearing, it was noted that Mr Umid Hussain Khel was not present at the meeting. Mr Haroon Hamidi and his legal representative were virtually present at the meeting. However it was confirmed that they were not authorised by Mr Khel to speak on his behalf, and as he rather than they was the applicant, Mr Hamidi and his legal representative were not party to the application, and therefore were informed that they were not in the position at law to participate in the meeting in any capacity.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Ibrahim Hussain, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for Tower Hamlets Pizza, 479 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9BU. It was noted that the review had been sought by the Licensing Authority in relation to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder. The review was supported by the Metropolitan Police and the Immigration Department.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer explained that the Licensing Authority were seeking revocation of the licence. She believed that the evidence showed that imposition of additional conditions would not suffice to address concerns over crime and disorder and public nuisance that had taken place at the premises. It was noted that the report included evidence that the premises had been operating beyond licensed hours and advertising licensable activities as being available beyond licensed hours. 

It was noted that the premises has had a licence since 16^th January 2018 with Mr Haroon Hamidi as the previous premises licence holder. The premises licence was transferred to Mr Umid Khel on 28^th May 2022. The Licensing Authority started to receive reports and complaints from local residents from 7^th June 2021, stating that the premises was operating 24 hours a day. Ms Driver said that website adverts were found advertising the premises as being open from 11:00 hours to 04:30 hours, seven days a week.

Ms Driver confirmed that Mr Hamidi had been the premises licence holder at the time of the complaint and a warning letter was sent to Mr Hamidi on 7^th June 2021. Members were referred to the review application in the agenda on pages 29-33 detailing the changes in operation and the number of businesses operating from the premises all advertising late night refreshments till 04:30 hours. It was noted that the licensed for these premises ended at 02:00 hours.

Mr Khel had been the premises licence holder todate since the licence transfer 28^th May 2022. A number of failed test purchases were made, and a series of warning letters were sent to Mr Khel and,  prior to the licence transfer, Mr Hamidi   in relation to the following dates: -

-       7^th June 2021

-       31^st March 2022

-       12^th April 2022

-       13^th May 2022

-       28^th May 2022

-       30^th June  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

At the request of the Chair, Mr Ibrahim Hussain, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Limehouse Library, 638 Commercial Road, London E14 7HS. It was noted that objections had been received by local residents in relation to the prevention of public nuisance.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Ozlem Darcan representing the Applicant explained that the premises was a boutique hotel and culinary arts and educational centre for tourists and business clientele, whilst retaining its heritage as a library. She gave a brief history of the premises and its heritage. She acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents and explained that the library itself had been left derelict, unoccupied and attracted anti-social behaviour prior to the development of the hotel. Since the Applicant took over the premises,  it has been regenerated, refreshed, and there have been no reports of ASB. She referred to appendix 12 of the agenda which had photographs of the premises before and after its transformation.

She explained that management have taken into account the concerns of residents together with the welfare and comfort of guests, and had reached a fair balance between both. Ms Darcan referred to the concerns raised by objectors about the open terrace area. She explained that the area was insulated and covered up with glass to reduce noise etc., and that the ballroom was located in the basement, which had sound insulation. It was noted that some of the hotel rooms were in close proximity to the terrace area, and therefore it was in the Applicant’s own interest to ensure noise is not emanating from the terrace area, as it would impact not only local residents, but also hotel guests.

Ms Darcan confirmed that the terrace area would not be a club or pub or drinking area, but a quiet area for hotel guests and staff to relax in with greenery and zen like environment for guests to have a break, drink tea and coffee, and smoke., It was noted that there would be no live music or entertainment in this area.

It was noted that the terrace area was the only open area in the premises. All objectors had been invited to visit the premises. Only one resident had attended, and was impressed with the set upand operation of the premises. She addressed the issues concerning the deliveries outside the hotel. There was a loading bay for deliveries, and therefore this would not cause any additional issues with traffic and crowding on the public highway.

Mr Murat Ozbek, Applicant, referred to the objection raised regarding noise and ASB during the summer time, in relation to which he assured that this was not a typical hotel, but one with a lot of heritage and good reputation. The hotel had 75 rooms, and the main aim was that guests of the hotel feel comfortable in the hotel, so there was incentive for any noise disturbance and ASB to be prevented.  ...  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.

Members agreed to extend the decision deadlines for the applications below to the dates stated; Licensing applications were extended due to the impact of the pandemic, and were adjourned under regulation 11 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, it was in the public interest to do so, and did not require representation from parties to the applications.