The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council met on Tuesday 12 January 2021 to discuss a remote meetings protocol and a procedure for licensing hearings. The primary focus of the meeting was a review of the premises licence for Eyva Turkish Grill Restaurant and Meze Bar.

Remote Meetings Protocol

The committee was scheduled to discuss a protocol for conducting meetings remotely, which had been put in place due to the Coronavirus national emergency. This protocol outlined the procedures for using Microsoft Teams for virtual meetings, including arrangements for audio and video connections, public access, and the role of the Chair and officers. It also detailed procedures for managing debate, interruptions to connections, deputations, motions, and voting within the remote meeting environment.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The meeting agenda also included a discussion on the procedure for licensing review hearings. This procedure outlined the steps to be followed, including the presentation of a factual summary by a Licensing Authority officer, the order in which representations would be considered from the applicant, parties making representations, and the respondent or licensee. It also detailed the process for summing up and the subsequent private consideration by the Sub-Committee, with official notice of the decision to be sent within five working days.

Application to Review a Premises Licence - Eyva Turkish Grill Restaurant and Meze Bar

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering an application to review the premises licence for Eyva Turkish Grill Restaurant and Meze Bar, located at 7-13 Goodmayes Road, Goodmayes, Ilford. The review application was submitted by the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team, citing concerns related to the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.

The report pack indicated that the review application stemmed from two joint multi-agency visits. The first, on Friday 2 October 2020, found the premises operating beyond the 10 pm deadline for serving takeaway food, leading to a reported breach of Covid-19 regulations. The second visit, on Saturday 31 October 2020, again identified breaches of Covid-19 regulations and the premises licence conditions. The police application suggested that the revocation of the premises licence was the most appropriate and proportionate course of action.

The report detailed the current licence for Eyva Turkish Grill Restaurant and Meze Bar, which authorises the supply of alcohol, late-night refreshment, and regulated entertainment, with specific opening hours and times for licensable activities. The report also noted that no representations had been received from any other parties.

The Sub-Committee was asked to consider the review application and any representations received, in accordance with section 52(4) of the Licensing Act 2003. The recommendations presented to the Sub-Committee included the possibility of modifying the conditions of the licence, excluding a licensable activity, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely.

The report also highlighted the Council's Licensing Policy 2015, which was in place at the time, and the duty under section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to prevent crime and disorder. Legal implications, including those under the Human Rights Act 1998, were also outlined, balancing the rights of the licence holder with the public interest. Fairness implications, including those related to the Equality Act 2010, were also considered.

The report pack included several appendices detailing the review application itself, representations from the London Borough of Redbridge Licensing Enforcement Team, a copy of the premises licence, and relevant extracts from the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy. The application for review was made by PC Matt Brown of the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team. The representation from the London Borough of Redbridge Licensing Enforcement Service, made by Priya Cheema, detailed previous issues with the premises, including breaches of licence conditions related to staff training, CCTV operation, incident logging, dispersal policies, and the operation of a 'Challenge 25' scheme. It also referenced the premises' connection with an adjacent venue, After Hours Shisha Lounge .