The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 5 March 2024 to consider an application for a premises licence for Robin Hood Fish Bar. The committee resolved to grant the licence with a number of conditions.

Robin Hood Fish Bar Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a premises licence for Robin Hood Fish Bar, located at 4 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham RM8 2JA. The application, submitted by London Broast LTD, sought permission to provide late-night refreshment from Sunday to Thursday between 11:00 pm and midnight, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 pm to 2:00 am, including a delivery service.

Two representations opposing the application were received: one from a local resident, Gemma Hensby, and another from a local business, Donna Cramer, owner of a bakery next door. Both objections were primarily based on the grounds of preventing public nuisance, with concerns raised about potential anti-social behaviour, noise, and disturbance to residents and neighbouring businesses, particularly due to the proposed late operating hours.

During the application process, an agreement was reached between the applicant and the Metropolitan Police. This agreement involved reducing the proposed operating hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 2:00 am to midnight. The applicant, Hafiz Saif U Rehman, Director of London Broast LTD, stated that the fish bar had been operating for over 20 years and that the new ownership, in place for six months, intended to run it as a small takeaway without a seating area to minimise nuisance. He also confirmed that alcohol would not be sold at the premises.

Despite the agreement with the police and the applicant's reassurances, both objectors maintained their concerns. Donna Cramer expressed that the shop was not busy enough to warrant being open until midnight, and Gemma Hensby reiterated her safety concerns for herself and her child.

Following deliberation, the Sub-Committee resolved to grant the premises licence with a comprehensive set of conditions. These conditions included:

• No alcohol to be sold on the premises.
• No customers to be permitted to access or remain on the licensed premises after midnight.
• Prominent notices to be displayed advising customers of permitted hours, last order times, and to respect residents by leaving quietly and disposing of litter legally.
• Customers to be prohibited from bringing or consuming alcohol on the premises.
• An incident book to be kept and made available to the Police or Authorised Officers.
• Written training records for all staff to be maintained and made available.
• All staff to receive induction and regular refresher training.
• A telephone number to be displayed for residents to contact management with concerns, with details of concerns and actions taken to be recorded.
• A minimum of two members of staff to be on duty at all times when the premises is open for licensable activities.
• Last orders to be taken no later than 15 minutes before the terminal hour.
• A digital CCTV system to be operated, maintained, and images kept for a minimum of 31 days, with footage to be provided to police or council officers upon request. Specific requirements were set for camera placement and quality.
• Appropriate portable fire and first aid equipment to be provided and staff trained in their use.
• A fire risk assessment and emergency plan to be prepared and reviewed.
• Management and staff to proactively discourage customers from loitering outside the premises.
• Staff to monitor the area outside the shop and dispose of rubbish.
• Delivery drivers to wait inside the premises between deliveries.
• Vehicles used for delivery to switch off their engines when waiting outside.
• All waste to be properly presented for collection.
• Staff arriving or departing late at night to avoid causing disturbance to residents.
• No noise or vibration emanating from the premises to cause a nuisance.
• No unaccompanied children under 16 to be on the premises after 10:00 pm.
• Staff and supervisors to ensure appropriate customer behaviour regarding children.

The decision to grant the licence with these conditions aims to balance the applicant's business needs with the council's commitment to promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.