The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 22 November 2011 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Impression Events, located at Milner Road, Stratford, E15 3AD. The committee granted the licence, subject to additional conditions relating to the prevention of underage drinking and staff training.

Impression Events, Milner Road, Stratford, E15 3AD

The Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence for Impression Events, located at Milner Road, Stratford, E15 3AD. The application sought permission for plays, live music, recorded music, performances of dance, and facilities for making music and dancing, with operating hours from 10:00 to 23:00 daily, and premises open until midnight.

Representations were received from the Council's Noise and Nuisance Team concerning the prevention of public nuisance, and from the Trading Standards Team regarding the protection of children from harm.

The Noise and Nuisance Team's representation highlighted concerns about patron management and crowd dispersal following an incident on 16 September 2011, where a wedding event led to noise and disturbance outside the venue. While acknowledging that the venue had undertaken significant renovations and had a noise impact assessment indicating compliance, the team's primary concern was the management of patrons leaving the premises. They noted that the venue manager had indicated that the incident was due to an exceptional booking and that they would normally cater for Muslim weddings where alcohol is not consumed.

The Trading Standards Team's representation opposed the application on the grounds of protecting children from harm. They noted that while the applicant stated no plans to provide or sell alcohol, the venue would likely allow hirers to bring their own alcohol. Trading Standards argued that the operating schedule did not comprehensively address how to prevent under-18s from accessing alcohol, and recommended a condition that no one under 18 be given alcohol, along with staff training on preventing underage drinking.

The applicant's representative stated that the venue had only experienced one prior complaint and that the incident on 16 September was due to exceptional circumstances. They confirmed the applicant was taking steps to implement protocols for future bookings where alcohol might be involved and was willing to liaise with the Council on ensuring residential amenity.

Following deliberation, the Sub-Committee resolved to grant the licence. In addition to the mandatory conditions and those outlined in the operating schedule, the following conditions were imposed:

• It will be a condition of hire that no-one under 18 is to be given alcohol.
• All staff employed at the venue must be trained to prevent underage drinking at the venue.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Ian Corbett (Chair), Councillor Ron Manley, and Councillor Patrick Murphy. The proceedings were documented in the Printed minutes 22nd-Nov-2011 11.30 Licensing 2003 Act Sub-Committee.pdf.