The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Chicken Valley, a late-night refreshment establishment. The committee was also set to discuss 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 order in which cases are presented, including the presentation of the applicant's case, followed by representations from responsible authorities and interested parties. It also details the process for questioning and summing up before the committee makes a decision in private.

Application for a Premises Licence: Chicken Valley

A significant item on the agenda was the application for a premises licence for Chicken Valley, located at 15 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG1 4DU. The application sought permission to provide late-night refreshment.

The proposed opening hours for the premises were:

• Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 to 02:00 the following day.
• Friday to Saturday: 10:00 to 02:30 the following day.

The application also requested permission for the provision of late-night refreshment during the following hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 23:00 to 01:30 the following day.
• Friday to Saturday: 23:00 to 02:00 the following day.

Representations were received from the Redbridge Licensing Enforcement Team and a local resident, Mr. Faiz Mustafa Sher. The Licensing Enforcement Team's representation, made by Senior Licensing Officer Joe Maerz, highlighted that Chicken Valley is situated in the Ilford Town Centre Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). This zone is an area identified as having a high concentration of licensed premises and associated issues, including anti-social behaviour, crime, and public nuisance. The representation noted that the area is a mixed retail and residential zone, with residential flats in close proximity and above the premises. Ilford Train Station is also located nearby.

Mr. Sher's objection, submitted as an interested party, also cited concerns related to the cumulative impact policy. He pointed to issues such as drunken and anti-social behaviour, violence, drug supply, street prostitution, and the exploitation of children in the vicinity of Ilford Station. He also noted the increasing number of late-night hot food takeaways contributing to people congregating and causing litter. Both representations urged the committee to refuse the application entirely, upholding the council's cumulative impact policy.

The report pack also included details of the application process under the Licensing Act 2003, outlining the requirements for advertising and consulting on applications, and the grounds upon which responsible authorities and interested parties can make representations. It also detailed the steps applicants must take to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Specific conditions proposed by the applicant included CCTV operation, staff training, an incident log, and restrictions on alcohol consumption and deliveries.

The committee was also scheduled to consider a motion to exclude the public from discussions relating to exempt information.