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.

To note the rules of procedure which are attached for information.

The rules of procedure were noted.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 7^th January 2025.

The minutes of the meeting were agreed and approved as a correct record.  

At the Chair's request, Ibrahim Hussain, Licensing Officer, presented the report regarding the application for a new premises licence for Subway, located at 379 Mile End Road, E3 4QS. The application sought an extension for licensable activities to include late-night refreshment only, seven days a week. It was noted that a local resident had raised an objection.

At the Chair’s request, Mr. Asan Shahid, the applicant, briefly explained that he was seeking a late-night refreshment licence until 01:00 hours, seven days a week. He clarified that there would be no sale of alcohol and no music played at the premises. It was noted that he had been trading for the past four months without receiving any complaints about littering or deliveries. Mr. Shahid emphasized that he wished to live in harmony with local residents and had no intention of causing any nuisance.

As the objector was not present at the meeting, the Sub-Committee noted the written objection included in the agenda pack.

In response to questions, the following points were noted:

•          The extractor fan is only used during the day.

•          The applicant is an experienced operator who owns other Subway branches locally, all of which hold premises licences.

•          Delivery drivers park in the public car park next to the premises and only enter the shop once they receive a notification that the order is ready for collection.

•          Once an order is placed via the delivery platform, it typically takes around 10-15 minutes to prepare, and the delivery driver then picks it up.

•          The applicant was willing to accept a condition to keep the premises frontage clean.

•          The applicant stated he would be agreeable to a midnight closing time on weekdays but preferred a 01:00 hours closing time on weekends to help generate income.

The applicant then made his concluding remarks.

Decision

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Mile End Subway Ltd. for a new premises licence to be held in respect of Subway, 379 Mile End Road, London, E3 (“the Premises”). The application sought authorisation for the provision of late-night refreshment (indoors) from 23:00 hours to 01:00 hours seven days per week.

The application attracted one representation against it, from Father Elliott of the neighbouring church. The representation was concerned largely with the impact of the potential for public nuisance from delivery bikes and litter. The Sub-Committee was informed that conditions had been agreed with the Environmental Health Service.

The Sub-Committee heard from Mr. Shahid on behalf of the applicant. He explained that the nearby KFC was open until 02:00 hours, which was why he had chosen to cease licensable activity at an earlier time. There were no noise issues. They had been open for the last four months and had operated without complaint thus far and, in particular, had not had complaints about delivery drivers or litter.

During questions from members, Mr. Shahid explained that there would not be any noise impact to the flats above. His landlord owned those flats and was content with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.1

At the request of the Chair, Ibrahim Hussain, Licensing Officer, presented the report regarding the application for a new premises licence for Cable Street Mini Supermarket, located at 403 Cable Street, London, E1W. The application sought permission to sell alcohol from 07:30 to 23:00 hours, seven days a week. It was noted that six local residents had raised objections on the grounds of public nuisance and crime and disorder. It was also noted that conditions had been agreed upon with the Police and Environmental Health.

At the Chair’s request, Rashed Ahmed, the applicant’s agent, explained that they fully understood and accepted the concerns of residents. However, he emphasized that the premises was well-managed, with experienced staff serving the local community. Staff would be trained to refuse sales to intoxicated individuals and underage customers.

Mr. Ahmed explained that the shop was a small local business, primarily serving the local community, and it provided employment opportunities for people in the area. The premises had CCTV cameras in place to help deter anti-social behaviour. They also planned not to stock high-strength alcohol, which would discourage street drinkers.

Mr. Almas Ali, the applicant, stated that the application was made in response to demand from local customers, and he concluded by urging Members to grant the licence.

As no objectors were present at the meeting, the written objections included in the agenda were noted and considered.

In response to questions, the following points were noted:

•          Measures to prevent crime and disorder included the installation of CCTV cameras, cooperation with the local authority, and reporting any suspicious activity.

•          A "Challenge 25" policy would be implemented at the premises.

•          There was no existing premises licence for the location.

•          The applicant agreed not to sell super-strength beers or miniature bottles of spirits.

•          The staff at the premises would consist of Mr. Ali (the applicant), his son, and the supervisor.

•          The applicant was open to rewording the CCTV and Challenge 25 policy conditions to align with Tower Hamlets’ standard conditions.

There were no concluding remarks.

Decision

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Almas Ali for a new premises licence to be held in respect of Cable Street Mini Supermarket, 403 Cable Street, London, E1W (“the Premises”). The application sought authorisation for the sale by retail of alcohol from 07:30 hours to 23:00 hours seven days per week. The Sub-Committee understood the Premises to be a local convenience store.

The application attracted six representations against it from local residents. These related predominantly to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder and related to existing issues such as vagrancy and anti-social behaviour (ASB). Conditions had been agreed with the police and with Environmental Health.

The Sub-Committee heard from Mr. Rashed Ahmed, the agent for the applicant, and the applicant himself, Mr. Almas Ali. Mr. Ahmed explained briefly that the Premises would be well-managed and had no intention of adding to the existing problems within the area. They would implement the conditions proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.2

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.

The following application decision deadlines were extended to 31st March  2025;

-         Hotto Potto 19 Leman Street, London, E1 8EJ

-         Caribbean Pelican Kitchen, Unit B 29 Whitepost Lane London E9 5BN

-         Istanbul Kebab, 240 Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9DA

-         Damir Shop, 5 Pennyfields London E14 8HP

-         Fabwick, Unit 4a Queens Yard, 43 White Post Lane, London, E9 5EN

-         Shokher Hari, 253 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6AH