Agenda item
Application for Temporary Event Notices for Lighthouse, 421 Wick Lane, London E9 2JG
Minutes:
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 8th 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 13th 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 (“the Premises”).
The Sub Committee heard from Ms Cadzow regarding the noise complaints made at the premises, that there have been six complaints in the last four months and she didn't have any confidence in the licence holders ability to operate under the TENS. The Sub Committee also heard from Mrs Okonkno-Onobevune and she queried why the TEN on the 24th June had been allowed to proceed and told the Sub Committee that she had two security industry authorised staff in place and was willing to consider arranging for a sound limiter to be installed at the premises. The Licensing Sub Committee was concerned by the complaints, however most fell on the Sunday and only two complaints were substantiated, further these only came from two people. It was noted that the visit on the 13th March 2022, Mrs Okonkno-Onobevune dealt with the complaint promptly when told. The small number of complaints made the Sub Committee consider that the premises could operate in accordance to the TENS, therefore the decision in respect of each TEN is to refuse to issue a counter notice but to impose all the conditions on the premises licence on all three TENS applied for.
Accordingly, the Sub Committee by a majority vote;
RESOLVED
That the application for a counter notice issued for the application for Temporary Event Notices for Lighthouse, 421 Wick Lane, London E3 2JG be REFUSED and the TENs to be granted.
10th to 11th July 2022 from 11:00 hours- 02:00 hours
23rd July 2022 from 00:30 hours – 02:30 hours
31st July to 1st August 2022 from 11:00 hours to 03:00 hours
The sale by retail of alcohol
The provision for late night refreshments
The provision of regulated entertainment
Supporting documents: