The Licensing Sub-Committee A met on Thursday 9 February 2023 to consider an application for a premises licence for Doner Hub. The committee approved the application with amendments to the proposed hours and additional conditions.

Application for a Premises Licence: Doner Hub, 151 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6PJ

The Licensing Sub-Committee A approved an application for a premises licence for Doner Hub, located at 151 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6PJ, with amendments to the proposed hours and the addition of several conditions. The application sought authorisation for late-night refreshment and the sale of alcohol from Monday to Sunday.

Representations were made by Hackney Council's Licensing Authority, Environmental Enforcement, and the Metropolitan Police Service, primarily on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder and public nuisance. Environmental Enforcement had proposed conditions that were agreed upon by the applicant prior to the meeting.

During the hearing, concerns were raised by the Police regarding the requested hours and the applicant's ability to manage late-night operations, particularly with only two members of staff. The Licensing Authority echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential negative impact on licensing objectives, including noise from loitering customers and delivery riders. They also noted that the proposed hours extended beyond the council's core hours, as set out in Policy LP3¹, and that the application might involve a change of use requiring appropriate planning permission, as per Policy LP5².

The applicant's agent, Fezal Yurdakul from Pera Solutions Ltd, explained that Doner Hub operates as a restaurant with seating and also takes takeaway orders, with a permitted use class E³. To mitigate potential risks, the applicant had implemented staff training programmes, waste management policies, and delivery management processes. Ms. Yurdakul highlighted that the business was 50% restaurant and 50% takeaway, and the sale of alcohol was not a primary focus. She also noted the presence of other licensed premises in the vicinity with late opening hours.

In response to concerns, the applicant agreed to several measures. These included closing the seating area and only providing takeaways after 11:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, agreeing to a Delivery Management Plan, and ensuring alcohol sales would be ancillary to hot food. The applicant also agreed to a reduction in hours back to core hours and to have one additional member of staff after 9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays to monitor the premises and dispersal, bringing the total staff to at least three. A written dispersal policy, to be approved by the Licensing Authority and the Police, was also agreed upon.

The committee decided to approve the licence with amended hours for late-night refreshment from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The supply of alcohol for on and off-sales was approved from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 am to 10:30 pm on Sundays. Opening hours were set from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 10:00 am to 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10:00 am to 11:00 pm on Sundays.

Additional conditions included that alcohol sold for consumption off the premises must be in a sealed container, and alcohol sales must be ancillary to food served on the premises. Deliveries and takeaways were permitted after 11:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Licence holder must submit a Delivery Management Plan for approval.

The Sub-committee was satisfied that these measures, along with the applicant's agreement to reduced hours and the closure of the seating area at 11:00 pm, would mitigate any negative impact on the licensing objectives. They noted that the applicant is an experienced operator who is prepared to work with the authorities and that a planning enforcement notice related to a change of use is under appeal, with a new planning application submitted.

The committee also added a public informative, reminding the applicant of the need to operate according to current licensing and planning conditions, and encouraging the use of sustainable and recyclable materials.