The Hackney Council Licensing Sub Committee D met on Monday 20 July 2026 to consider several applications for premises licences and a temporary event notice. The committee refused a temporary event notice for an event at 115 East Road, Stoke Newington, due to concerns about noise and public nuisance. They also approved a premises licence for The Good Egg restaurant in Stoke Newington, with several conditions attached, and considered an application for The Playroom, a basement venue on Kingsland High Street, which was discussed at length due to objections from residents and responsible authorities.

Temporary Event Notice Refused for 115 East Road, Stoke Newington

The committee refused a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for an event planned at 115 East Road, Stoke Newington, scheduled for 25 July 2026. The Metropolitan Police objected to the TEN, citing concerns about potential noise disturbance to nearby residential flats and arguing that the premises, primarily a hairdresser's salon, was not purpose-built for such an event. The police highlighted three noise complaints received by the council on 28 June 2026, originating from separate households, related to loud music. Despite the applicant, Seanette Fraser, providing a risk assessment and proposing mitigation measures, including SIA security and informing local residents, the Sub-Committee felt that noise problems were likely to recur. They concluded that issuing a counter notice was necessary and proportionate to prevent public disorder and noise disturbance to residents.

Premises Licence Approved for The Good Egg, Stoke Newington

A premises licence was approved for The Good Egg, a restaurant located at 93 Stoke Newington Church Street. The application was to replace a previous licence that had lapsed due to an administrative oversight. The applicant, Joel Braham, co-founder of The Good Egg, explained that the business had been operating since 2015 and had never faced a licence review or enforcement action. The police and environmental health officers raised no objections after agreeing on several conditions. A single representation was received from a local resident living above the premises, who expressed concerns about noise and disturbance, particularly regarding the proposed hours for recorded music and alcohol sales. The applicant clarified that the application was not seeking to extend previous hours and agreed to remove recorded music from the application, with alcohol sales to be ancillary to substantial table meals. The committee approved the licence with additional conditions, including CCTV, an incident log, restrictions on the use of outside areas, and a zero-tolerance policy for drugs.

Premises Licence Application for The Playroom, Kingsland High Street, Deferred

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for The Playroom, a basement venue at 75 Kingsland High Street. The application sought permission for recorded music until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and alcohol sales until 02:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. The venue is located within the Dalston Special Consideration Area (SCA), and the requested hours exceeded the council's core licensing hours.

Environmental Protection had initially raised concerns about noise nuisance due to a history of complaints at the premises, but these were withdrawn after the applicant, James Alexandro, agreed to a set of conditions. However, significant objections were received from local residents and residents' associations, including the Rio Cross Residents Association and the Gillett Place Residents Association, citing concerns about crime and disorder, public nuisance, and public safety. These objectors highlighted the existing anti-social behaviour issues in Gillett Square, the proximity of residential properties, and the potential for increased noise and disturbance from patrons.

The applicant's representative, Rhys Rose, argued that the venue was intended as a cultural space to support the arts and that trial events had been managed successfully. However, objectors questioned the applicant's stated intentions, pointing to the fact that only recorded music and alcohol sales were applied for, not other regulated entertainment like plays or live music, suggesting a nightclub operation. They also raised concerns about the cumulative impact of late-night venues in the Dalston SCA and the potential for the licence to be transferred to a future operator with different intentions.

The committee engaged in a lengthy discussion with the applicant, objectors, and legal advisors. The applicant, James Alexandro, expressed a willingness to reduce hours to midnight on weekends, aligning with the council's guidance for Special Consideration Areas. However, the committee was informed that Temporary Event Notices (TENs) could not be amended at the hearing stage, and the decision was whether to serve a counter notice or not. Due to the complexity of the issues raised, including the applicant's willingness to reduce hours and the ongoing concerns from residents, the committee did not reach a final decision on this item during the public hearing.

Temporary Event Notice for Inisa Empire, Stoke Newington Road

The committee heard an application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for the Inisa Empire at 115 East Road, Stoke Newington Road, for a birthday celebration on 25 July 2026. The application sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshments until 3 am. The Metropolitan Police objected to the TEN, citing concerns about the premises' location opposite residential flats and the potential for noise disturbance. PC Donna Wilcox highlighted that the premises is a hairdresser's salon and noted three noise complaints received on 28 June 2026. While the applicant, Seanette Fraser, stated it was a one-off event and proposed mitigation measures, PC Wilcox expressed concerns about residents' lack of voice and the fact that the applicant was not a personal licence holder. Councillor Bettina Maidment also raised questions about the feasibility of managing all the risks outlined in the applicant's risk assessment, given it was her birthday event. Councillor Kwame Otiende asked if the applicant would consider an earlier finish time, suggesting midnight. However, the committee was advised by Amanda North, Legal Services, that TENs could not be amended at the hearing stage, and the decision was solely to grant or refuse the notice. The committee ultimately decided to refuse the TEN.