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.

Councillor Shubo Hussain indicated in relation to item 3.1, that he had attended an event at the venue in 2013, but that did not affect his consideration of that application.

The rules of procedure were noted.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Lavine Miller Johnson, Licensing Officer introduced the report which detailed the application by Mr. Steven Smorthit for a premises licence in respect of the Boro of Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, 42-44 Pollard Row, London E2 6NB.

The application sought: -

Regulated Entertainment (Plays, Films, Live & recorded Music and Performance of dance) (Indoors)

Sunday to Wednesday from 10:00 hours to 23:00 hours

Thursdays from 10:00 hours to 01:00 hours

Friday to Saturday from 10:00 hours to 02:30 hours

Late Night Refreshment (indoors)

Thursdays from 23:00 hours to 01:00 hours

Friday to Saturday from 23:00 hours to 02:30 hours

Sales of Alcohol (on sales only)

Sunday to Wednesday from 10:00 hours to 23:00 hours

Thursdays from 10:00 hours to 01:00 hours

Friday to Saturday from 10:00 hours to 02:30 hours

At the request of the Chair Ms Kerry Smorthit, Mr. Alan Milner, and Mr. Rory O’Donoghue presented the application on the basis that Mr. Dent, the holder of the existing premises licences relating to the same premises, had been served with a notice to stop trading at the premises and was due to vacate by 29^th July 2024.

Ms Smorthit explained that the application was to enable the applicant to continue community events with licensable activities to fund maintenance of the building. The Sub-Committee heard that staff had years of experience in running events and would therefore not cause any disturbance to surrounding neighbours.

The Sub-Committee noted that the application had incorrectly stated the starting time for late night refreshment which cannot, as a matter of law, take place before 23:00 hours, and therefore, the applicant agreed to amend the application in that regard.

Members heard from Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Service, who explained that the application did not address the addition to cumulative impact of public nuisance, and crime and disorder in a cumulative impact area (CIA). Ms. Holland reminded the Sub-Committee of the rebuttable presumption that where premises are in a CIA, an application will be refused, and pointed out that the application did not mention the CIA. Ms. Holland reminded the Sub-Committee that the onus was on the applicant to show exceptional reason why granting the application would not undermine the licensing objectives by adding to the cumulative impact in the area.

Objections were received against the application from other local residents and other interested parties, including the current licence holder, Mr. Dent, on the basis of public nuisance, and to a lesser extent, crime and disorder in relation to antisocial behaviour.

Members then heard from Mr. Dent, who referred to conflict between the terms of the application and the terms of the existing premises licence held by him. Mr. Dent also made representation about being unfairly evicted.

Objectors other than Mr. Dent and the Licensing Authority did not attend the Sub-Committee meeting. Their written objections in the agenda pack were considered. Broadly, these expressed concerns over whether the applicant could maintain the same standards, particularly in terms of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

At the request of the Chair, Ms Lavine Miller Johnson, Licensing Officer introduced the report which detailed the application by The Good Market Company Limited for a variation of premises licence in respect of Victoria Park Market, Land between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate, London E3 5TB.

The application sought the sale by retail of alcohol (on and off sales) on Saturdays from 11:00 hours to 17:00 hours. The premises licence already permitted the same activity on Sundays during the same hours.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Max Kennedy from the company presented the applicant as having run a family friendly food market on Sundays since 2017 without any issues. The application sought to enable expansion of that to Saturdays, to include the sale of alcohol. 

The applicant had offered a number of conditions. That the applicant would provide 12 euro bins as part of the waste plan. The applicant pointed out that not all litter emanates from the market. The applicant will provide and maintain toilet facilities. Mr Kennedy explained that they had been trading approximately 350 Sundays with no history of complaints. It was also noted that they had been trading on Saturdays with Temporary Event Notices for the past two months with no complaints.

With regard to one of the conditions offered, that all alcohol stalls will not be located near any residential buildings, the applicant specified a 200 metre distance.

Representations were received against the application from residents on the basis of public nuisance and, to a lesser extent, public safety. One of the residents, Ms. Walker, and a Hackney ward councillor, Councillor Penny Wrout attended the meeting. Cllr Wrout presented concerns over the impact of each weekend’s activities on open land adjacent to residential premises. The market operated on a side of the park nearer Hackney residents, although that did not preclude the impact upon nearby Tower Hamlets residents. The likely impact pertained to noise, traffic, pollution, litter, and public urination. Residents’ concerns also arose from the market taking away use of that part of the park from residents wanting to enjoy other activities.

The written representations of other objectors who did not attend were also considered.

In response to questions, the following was noted;

·       The Licensing Officer clarified that there had been no record of complaints regarding the operation of the market.

·       That the market was 90% food led.

·       That there would be 20-30 stalls and stall holders from tower hamlets would be given priority.

Concluding remarks were made by both parties.

Decision

This application engages the licensing objectives of public nuisance and, to a lesser extent, public safety. 

The absence of objection by any of the responsible authorities was of neutral weight.

The Sub-Committee noted that two conditions had been agreed between the applicant and Environmental Health Services: -

•         Notices shall be prominently displayed at the site requesting patrons and stall staff to respect the needs of local residents and leave the area quietly. This should be enforced by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.2

This item was withdrawn by the Applicant prior to the meeting.

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 applications were extended till 30^th September 2024.

·       The Pickle Factory, 11-14 The Oval, London, E2 9DT