At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Acting Senior Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises license for Strada, Unit E1, 12 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, London E14 4AF. It was noted that objections had been received by local residents. It was also noted that Planning Enforcement had withdrawn their objection due to the amended application submitted by the applicant with the reduction in hours.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Baylis, Legal Representative for the applicant referred Members to page 117 of the agenda which had amendments to the license application which included a reduction in hours and the removal of background music. He explained that alcohol would be served at tables with food, that it would primarily be a restaurant was a small bar area, with customers spending £30 on average.

The Chair then invited residents who wished to address the Committee, Ian Stewart, Enzo Testa and Victoria Norval, were among the resident representatives who spoke in objection to the application, each addressing similar concerns in relation to noise nuisance, public disorder, anti-social behaviour, and crime and disorder.

In response to questions it was noted that Wednesday to Friday was the best nights for restaurant trade and therefore the applicant was applying for later hours on those days, that the age and fabric of the building meant that noise did travel up to flats above the restaurants with noise permeating throughout the building, as well as noise from customers congregating outside the premises. It was further noted that the residents were not objecting to Strada as a whole but were objecting to the hours applied for as they wanted to get the right balance for residents and local businesses. It was also noted that the applicant was happy for a condition to be imposed to restrict customers from vertical drinking. 

The Chair advised that the Sub Committee would at 7.05pm adjourn to consider the evidence presented. Members reconvened at 7.25pm. The Chair reported that;

Having heard representations from all interested parties, members decided to GRANT the application in part and imposed a condition in order to promote the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder and preventing public nuisance.

Members had regard to the concerns of residents, but they had to base their decision on evidence presented before them and not speculation. Members noted the concerns raised by those making representations regarding crime and disorder and public nuisance but it was considered, however, that these were very much future concerns regarding what could happen if more late night premises were to open in the local area. Members had considered the application based on the current position.  Members had taken note however of the evidence given by residents as to the disturbance caused to the residents from noise being caused within venues already operating and therefore that the application could be granted but on reduced hours and with an additional condition.

RESOLVED

That the new application for Strada, Unit E1, 12 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, London E14 4AF, be GRANTED in part with the following hours and condition;

Sale of Alcohol

Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 hours to 23:00 hours

Friday from 09:00 hours to 00:00 hours (midnight)

Late Night Refreshments

Saturday to Thursday from 23:00 hours to 23:30 hours

Friday from 23:00 hours to 00:30 hours

Hours Premises are Open to the Public 

Saturday to Thursday from 07:00 hours to 23:30 hours

Friday from 07:00 hours to 00:30 hours

Condition

1) All drinks to be taken to tables by waiting staff, with no vertical drinking permitted.