The Licensing Sub Committee B of Islington Council met on 09 May 2024 and made a number of decisions on applications for new licences and variations to existing licences.

The Archway Club, 1 Navigator Square, N19 3TD

The committee considered an application for a variation to the premises licence for The Archway Club. The applicant sought to extend their licenced hours to allow: the sale of alcohol until 2:00 on Thursdays and 3:30 on Fridays and Saturdays; the provision of regulated entertainment until 2:30 on Thursdays and 4:00 on Fridays to Sundays; and for the premises to remain open until 2:30 on Thursdays and 4:00 on Fridays to Sundays.

The applicant’s contention was that the licensing authority had agreed that the applicant could bring a fresh application for variation of the licensable hours following a reasonable period to establish how the new business was operating and whether there were any concerns.

The Licensing Authority told the committee that there had not been any anti-social behaviour or noise complaints since the granting of the licence in October 2023. The Police also confirmed that there had not been any issues with the venue in the time it had been operating. The applicant stated that they had a number of policies in place, including a “pub watch” group with other establishments in the area. The applicant also told the committee that they sat on the Archway Town Centre Group and were committed to providing a high-quality and varied offer.

The committee decided to grant the application, subject to existing conditions, because there were no objections from residents and both the Licensing Authority and the Police felt that the applicant was a responsible operator.

Fairbridge Mini Market, 163 Fairbridge Road, N19 3HS

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Fairbridge Mini Market at 163 Fairbridge Road. The applicant sought the same licence as the one they were granted on 31 October 2023, but wanted a number of the conditions removed. In particular they wanted to be allowed to sell stronger beers, lagers and ciders, miniatures, and to be allowed to take deliveries outside of the hours of 8:00 to 20:00.

Both the Police and the Licensing Authority made representations against the application. The Licensing Authority stated that:

the application sought to remove conditions that had been imposed at the previous committee on 31 October 2023, specifically that in relation to selling higher strength beers and miniatures, and the times for delivery, and that while there had not been any reports of noise or nuisance concerning the premises, this was probably due to the robust conditions in place on this licence.

The Police were particularly concerned about the miniatures because:

very small bottles were often purchased by street drinkers and disposed of in nearby parks and that a lot of work had taken place between the Police and ASB team to reduce anti-social behaviour in the Elthorne Park area

The applicant told the committee that they wanted to be able to compete with other businesses in the vicinity who were not subject to the same conditions and that they were not seeking to attract street drinkers.

The Licensing Authority reminded the committee that:

most of the premises in the Hornsey Rise area agreed to sign up to the policy and there had been an estimated 65% take up of the scheme since its introduction.

The committee decided to grant the application, but subject to all of the conditions of the previous licence because they were not satisfied that allowing the sale of stronger alcohol and miniatures would promote the licensing objectives.

The Fence, 67-69 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6BP

The committee considered an application for a variation to the premises licence for The Fence at 67-69 Cowcross Street. The applicant wanted to be allowed to add a small, external bar to their beer garden.

The applicant stated that they wanted to:

relieve pressure on the internal bar as well as improving the customer experience.

The committee granted the application for the external bar to be added to the licence, subject to the condition that it would not be used to sell alcohol after 22:00.

Quality Wines, 88-90 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3EA

The committee were due to consider an application for a variation to the premises licence for Quality Wines at 88-90 Farringdon Road. The applicant wanted to be allowed to sell alcohol until 23:00 and for the premises to remain open until 23:30 Tuesdays to Saturdays. However, all representations were withdrawn prior to the meeting and the application was granted under delegated authority.