The Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, was scheduled to discuss the procedure for licensing hearings and a specific application for a premises licence. The primary focus was an application by Ilford BB Ltd, trading as Burger Base, for a late-night refreshment licence at 82 Ilford Lane, Ilford.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to review the established procedure for conducting licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the order in which evidence will be presented and considered, including the cases for the applicant, responsible authorities making representations, and interested parties. It details the questioning process for each party and the subsequent summing up before the committee makes a decision in private.

Application for a Premises Licence: Ilford BB Ltd t/a Burger Base

The main item for discussion was the application by Ilford BB Ltd for a premises licence for Burger Base, located at 82 Ilford Lane, Ilford IG1 2LA. The application sought authorisation for the provision of late-night refreshment, with proposed opening hours from 11:00 to 00:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, and from 11:00 to 01:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. The premises is described as a traditional high street retail restaurant.

The report pack indicated that the applicant had complied with the requirements for advertising and consulting on the application, including placing public notices and notifying responsible authorities.

Several representations were made regarding this application, primarily focusing on the potential impact on the licensing objectives.

• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: The Metropolitan Police Service, represented by PC Dean Birch, objected to the application. Their concerns were based on the premises being located within the Ilford Town Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ)¹, which has a high prevalence of crime and disorder, including street drinking, public nuisance, prostitution, litter, and crime. The police noted that Ilford Lane had recorded a significant number of crimes in recent months and that granting further late-night licences could exacerbate these issues. The Redbridge Enforcement Team, represented by Senior Enforcement Officer Ravinder Sappal, also raised objections, citing an increase in crime and disorder, street begging, and prostitution. Councillor Taifur Rashid, representing Loxford ward, and other residents, including Arif Azhar, Khudejah Waheed, Manisha Bhogal, Mustafa Ghulam, Sahdia Warraich, Zahrah Awaleh, Jenny Choudhury, Linda Wray, Asif Khan, and Mrs Hameeda Saeed, also expressed strong opposition, highlighting issues such as drug dealing, prostitution, stabbings, anti-social behaviour, and noise pollution. They argued that late-night openings would attract undesirable elements and increase the burden on already stretched police resources.

• Prevention of Public Nuisance: Representations from the Metropolitan Police, Redbridge Enforcement Team, and residents consistently highlighted concerns about increased public nuisance, including noise, littering, public urination, and congregating groups, particularly in a mixed retail and residential area. The proximity of residential properties above the commercial units on Ilford Lane was a significant factor in these concerns.

• Public Safety: Concerns were raised about public safety due to increased footfall and potential for disorderly behaviour, especially in an area with existing issues of crime and disorder. Residents also noted potential traffic safety issues due to increased vehicles and parking on residential streets.

• Protection of Children from Harm: Several representations mentioned concerns about the impact on children, including exposure to litter, noise affecting sleep, and the potential for children to be exposed to or involved in issues such as prostitution and drug-related activities, particularly given the area's demographics and existing problems.

The report pack also detailed the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which includes specific considerations for Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZs). The Ilford Lane area is designated as a CIZ, creating a rebuttable presumption that licence applications for premises in any area designated as a CIZ will be refused. Applicants are expected to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to show their premises will not add to the cumulative impact. The policy outlines examples of what would and would not be considered exceptional circumstances.

The committee was also provided with the Procedure for Licensing Hearings document, which outlines the steps to be followed during the hearing, including the presentation of cases by the applicant and any objectors, followed by questioning and summing up before the committee deliberates.