Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: The Council Chamber, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Simmi Yesmin, Senior Democratic Services Officer Tel: 020 7364 4120, E-mail: simmi.yesmin@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 214 KB 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. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest made.
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To note the rules of procedure which are attached for information. Additional documents: Minutes: The rules of procedure were noted. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING(S) PDF 332 KB To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 10th, 17th and 24th November 2020.
Additional documents:
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 10th, 17th and 24th November were agreed and approved as a correct record.
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ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Additional documents: |
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Application for a New Premises Licence for (Alcotraz), 212 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA PDF 358 KB Additional documents: Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Alcotraz, 212 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA. It was noted that objections had been received on behalf of officers representing the Licensing Authority and Environmental Health.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Sam Shearman, Applicant, explained that the business concept involved an immersive theatrical experience in which guests purchase tickets in advance to attend and take part. The experience is based on popular Hollywood films and TV and brings to life a prison story with guests as the inmates instructed to conduct a covert mission whilst behind bars. As part of the experience, guests are encouraged to bring their own bottle of alcohol whilst enjoying a theatrical storyline that unfolds around them involving actors.
It was noted that the premises had a capacity of 40 people per session due to Covid 19 and that the premises had been operating since 2017. Mr Shearman explained that each session was for 1¾ hours, and tickets would have to be purchased online in advance. Mr Shearman also confirmed that there were 10 members of staff on the premises, and on Saturdays, they would have multiple sessions with 30-40 minute intervals.
Mr Shearman referred to the conditions that he had proposed such as having a first aider, having SIA accredited door staff, and operating a Challenge 25 policy. It was also noted that the venue had been closed for most part of 2020, and so far into 2021, but the intention was to attempt to unlock a new revenue stream to help the survival of the business by introducing a delivery option for craft cocktails and drinks via third parties such as UberEATS and Deliveroo.
He explained that the hours were within the framework hours, the premises had a small capacity of 40 customers, it would have a staggered entrance and egress system, and the staggering of people leaving would involve having customers disperse in small groups. Mr Shearman said that notices would be displayed around the premises asking everyone to leave quietly and respect the needs of local residents. In conclusion, Mr Shearman said that the premises did not negatively add to the Cumulative Impact Zone and was able to rebut the presumption against granting an application relating to premises in a Cumulative Impact Zone by demonstrating exceptional circumstances, as it was a unique business model, involving small premises with a capacity of under 50 people, the hours were within the framework hours, and the business was not alcohol led, focused more on a theatrical experience.
Members then heard from Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer who acknowledged the reduced capacity of 40 and asked if alcohol would be sold after the experience concluded? She explained that the reason for the objection was because the premises was in a Cumulative Impact Zone and the written application made no reference regarding the effects of an additional licensed premises in ... view the full minutes text for item 4.1 |
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Additional documents: Minutes: At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for Stop N Shop, 59 Commercial Road, London E1 6BD. It was noted that the review had been triggered by Trading Standards and supported by the Metropolitan Police. Mr Ali also informed the Sub-Committee that there had been an application for a transfer of licence and a variation, but this was invalid as there were pending review proceedings.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Kevin Maple referred to his review statement contained in the agenda on pages 158-161 and detailed the two incidents that led to the review application.
He explained that as part of a test purchase programme, the premises were visited on 18 September 2019, when a test purchase of cigarettes was carried out to ascertain whether the premises was selling illicit cigarettes, these defined as being either counterfeit or which have been imported without duty being paid or which fail to display the correct labelling for the UK market. The premises was found to have illicit cigarettes.
The premises were visited again on 27 September 2019, when there was the discovery and subsequent seizure of illicit tobacco products and also nitrous oxide (NOx) charger canisters. During the search of the premises, officers found the following items:-
1. Twenty (20) packets each comprising one hundred and four (104) (Total: 2,080 cigarettes) of various branded illicit non-UK cigarettes, and forty-one (41) packets (Total: 1,840 grams) of illicit hand rolling tobacco. 2. Twenty-four (24) boxes of Twenty-four (24) cream charger canisters containing (NOx) nitrous oxide (Total: 576 canisters)
Officers seized the tobacco products as they were non-UK and they did not display the required health warnings for the UK market. In addition, officers seized the nitrous oxide canisters as they were of the opinion that considering the quantity of the NOx canisters (cream chargers) and their location (i.e. behind the counter), it was highly likely the trader was supplying them to the public for recreational misuse. It was noted that whilst cream chargers are a legal product when sold for their legitimate use in the catering industry, the supply, or offer to supply or possession with intent to supply, of such items for recreational misuse (i.e. by inhaling the nitrous oxide gas inside for its psychoactive effect) was an offence.
In the statement of Officer Grier, he stated that during questioning, Mr Ashok Thakur (Premises Licence Holder) confirmed that he had full knowledge that he was selling foreign cigarettes at £4.00 per packet and that it was illegal to sell. Mr Thakur further explained he was given foreign cigarettes from tourists as part of his business to hold their luggage, for which he accepted illicit cigarettes as payment. The Sub-Committee heard that when questioned on the possession of the nitrous oxide (NOx) chargers, Mr Thakur said he was selling them to nearby coffee shops, but had been unable to verify which local ... view the full minutes text for item 4.2 |
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EXTENSION OF DECISION DEADLINE: LICENSING ACT 2003 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: 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.
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