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 made.

The rules of procedure were noted.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for Redchurch Studio, 58 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP. It was noted that representations had been made by Officers representing the Licensing Authority and Environmental Protection in relation to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder. 

At the request of the Chair, Ms Lana Tricker, Legal representative acting on behalf of the Applicant explained that they were applying for a new premises licence, and further supporting documents had been submitted to give Members’ assurance about the operation of the premises. It was noted that the applicant already operated the Redchurch Townhouse located next door and that guests from would be sleeping directly above the premises and therefore noise and disturbance will be a minimum and monitored. Ms Tricker highlighted that the premises was part of the Soho House Group and known for their impeccable reputation.

Ms Tricker drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the lack of representations from residents and to the fact that the Premises were small, with food and drinks on offer. Ms. Tricker explained that the Premises were not a restaurant. The Premises would not be open to the general public and would be open to members and their guests only. She then explained the membership process to the Sub-Committee, including the controls and rules on the members in the event of any improper behaviour. She told the Sub-Committee that the rules specifically prohibit disruption and intoxication.

It was noted that that although the Premises was not a restaurant, the Premises would be food-led, with alcohol being sold ancillary to food. There would be no drinks promotions, no promoters and no vertical drinking. Ms. Tricker had agreed conditions proposed by the responsible authorities, in the event that the application was granted. She also referred to the conditions contained within the supplemental report pack and confirmed that the applicant was content for those conditions to be imposed if the Sub-Committee were minded to grant the application.

Ms Tricker also highlighted the limited amount of smokers that be allowed outside the premises and having that as a condition. She stated that no complaints or objections had been received from the Police or residents and crime and disorder was not an issue. This was a small destination venue and therefore it was unlikely that patrons would be using the venue to load up on alcohol before going onto another premises.

She submitted that it was a well-run premises with an experienced operator, with high standards of operation, training for staff was in place, best practices agreed and dispersal policy in place, with good transport links and a dedicated taxi service also available. Ms Tricker concluded by saying that it was a genuine members’ club, the Soho Group had many premises and none had been reviewed. There was CCTV in place and they would operate a zero drug policy and, with the robust set  ...  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 new premises licence for Oranj, Ground Floor, 14 Bacon Street E1 6LF. It was noted that a representation had been made by the Licensing Authority in relation to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder. It was noted that it had a capacity for 50 persons and that 17 representations had been made in support of the premises.

It was noted that the blue poster advertising the application referred to another Borough. However it was accepted that the body of the text and contact details referred to Tower Hamlets and legal advice given that it was a minor mistake which did not invalidate the application or prevent the Sub-Committee from considering the application tonight.

At the request of the Chair Mr Marcus Lavell, Legal Representative on behalf of the Applicant, explained that this premises was not a chain or franchise store, but a sole passionate operator wanting to start up a small business. He said there were no objections from the responsible authorities, except for the Licensing Authority and which was based on policy. Conditions had been agreed with the Metropolitan Police. No residents had made representations against the application; and exceptionally, there were 17 representations in support of the application, and several of those had been made by residents living within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ).

Mr. Lavell told the Sub-Committee that the applicant would be amenable to agreeing two of the conditions proposed by the Licensing Authority, namely requiring notices at smoking areas and for all staff authorised to sell alcohol to be authorised in writing by the DPS. He told the Sub-Committee that the applicant could not agree a condition requiring alcohol sales to be with a table meal, since the Premises would not operate as a restaurant, nor could he agree a condition prohibiting vertical drinking, as the Premises were very small and the nature of the operation meant that some people would inevitably be standing. Ms Lavell assured Members that excessive alcohol consumption was not part of the business model and something that would not be tolerated.

Mr. Lavell referred to the possible policy exceptions that applied to the premises, and explained that the Premises fitted within those, and was an exception within those rules, except for vertical drinking. It was noted that the applicant only sought off-sales for home delivery, rather than takeaway, and was also agreeable to the inclusion of a condition, if the Sub-Committee saw fit, to impose a condition restricting the sale of alcohol to fine, natural wine.

He further explained that the Environmental Health had not raised any concern regarding public nuisance and nor did the Police on any crime and disorder issues and instead agreed to conditions with the applicant. 

Mr Lavell concluded that the premises met the exceptions as stated in the policy, the premises had a capacity of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.2

At the request of the Chair, Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the applications for temporary event notice (TEN) for Lighthouse, 421 Wick Lane, London E9 2JG. It was noted that a counter notice had been received on behalf of Environmental Health in relation to the prevention of public nuisance. It was noted that four applications had been received, one of which was rejected as it was a late application, and the three remaining ones were for consideration. It was noted that all the TENs were for birthday parties.

It was agreed that all three applications would be considered together as the objections for all three were the same.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Nicola Cadzow, Environmental Health Officer, explained that there had been TENs given in the past. From and including the TEN held on 8^th February 2022 there had been 6 complaints from two residents. During other TENs there had been 5 out of hours visits made to the premises, where reports of DJ’s playing excessive loud music and people smoking and drinking outside the premises causing a nuisance and warning letters had been sent. On 13^th March 2022, Officers were called out again and music could be heard 100 meters away from the premises and this noise was above the traffic noise. However, when the applicant was approached the music was turned down.

Ms Cadzow concluded that there was a history of noise nuisance associated with the premises, there had been numerous complaints and she was of the view that the applicant could not operate the TENs responsibly.

Members then heard from Ms Bridget Okonkno-Onobevune. She said that in terms of noise she would try to minimise the noise and that when some visits were made by officers they were either closed or leaving the premises. She said that she only allowed 10 smokers to smoke outside the premises at any one time and never received any direct complaints. Ms Okonkno-Onobevune claimed that she tried her best to keep noise to a minimum. She claimed business was struggling due to the pandemic and urged members to grant the TENs.

In response to questions the following was noted;

-       To help minimise the noise the applicant would install a noise limiter and would set an agreed limit in consultation with Environmental Health.

-       There would be two SIA staff on duty, one person on duty at the door and one person who would patrol the area and the car park.

-       The capacity of the premises was between 40-50 persons.

-       That customers usually drove to the premises and that there was a free car park available after 7.30pm.

-       That SIA staff make sure customers leave in small groups.

Concluding remarks were made by both parties 

Consideration

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Bridget Okonkno-Onobevune (“the Applicant”) for three temporary event notices (TENS) to be held in respect of Lighthouse, 421 Wick Lane, London E3 2JG  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.3

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.