The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Lahori Darbar, a restaurant and takeaway located at 62 Ilford Lane, Ilford. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the procedure for licensing hearings.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to review the established procedure for conducting licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the steps to be followed, including the presentation of factual summaries of applications, the order in which evidence from applicants, responsible authorities, and interested parties would be considered, and the process for questioning witnesses. The procedure also details how the sub-committee would deliberate and communicate its decisions.

Application for a Premises Licence: Lahori Darbar

The primary focus of the meeting was the application for a new premises licence for Lahori Darbar, located at 62 Ilford Lane, Ilford. The application, submitted by Rizwan Choudhary, director of Lahori Darbar Limited, sought to permit the licensable activity of late-night refreshment.

The applicant proposed the following hours for late-night refreshment:

• Monday to Thursday: 23:00 to 00:00 the following day, with an extension to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Sunday: 23:00 to 00:00 the following day.

The premises were also to be open to the public during the following hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 12:00 to 00:00 the following day, with an extension to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Sunday: 12:00 to 00:00 the following day.

Seasonal variations were requested for Ramadan, Eid days, and 14th August, extending late-night refreshment hours to 02:00 and opening hours to 02:00 the following day. The premises were described as a restaurant and takeaway business with no sale of alcohol.

The report pack indicated that one representation had been received from other persons and two from responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team and the Council's Licensing Enforcement team. These objections were lodged on the grounds that the application might negatively impact the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The premises is situated within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), a designated area where a rebuttable presumption exists to refuse new premises licence applications due to the concentration of licensed premises and their potential cumulative impact on the local area. The report highlighted that the requested hours significantly exceed the framework hours outlined in the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy for licensed restaurants and cafes in the Ilford Lane area.

The report also detailed the legal implications under the Human Rights Act 1998 and fairness implications under the Equality Act 2010, as well as financial and background information related to the application. The committee was presented with several options for their decision: to grant the application, grant it with additional conditions, grant it in part, or reject it.

The agenda also included a motion to exclude the public for discussions involving exempt information, as permitted under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972. A decision on the Lahori Darbar application was to be communicated to the parties within five working days of the meeting.