The Licensing Sub-Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 29 June 2021 to discuss applications for premises licences. The committee considered an application for Victoria Park, Great Britain, and an application for rooftop premises at 60 The Highway. They also discussed an application for Trade Cafe at 47 Commercial Street.

Victoria Park, Great Britain

The committee discussed an application for a premises licence for Victoria Park, Great Britain, which is a large outdoor event space. The application sought to increase the maximum capacity for major events from 39,999 to 45,000 in 2021, and to 49,999 in 2022 and beyond. The applicant, AG, a global leader in live music events, highlighted their track record of successful events, including positive feedback from the police in previous years regarding crime reduction and event management.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding noise from stages and potential antisocial behaviour. The applicant addressed these by detailing measures such as directional screens to mitigate noise, sound tests conducted between 8 and 9 am, and a comprehensive noise management plan. For antisocial behaviour, they outlined a significant security presence, including 246 supervisors, security, and stewards, along with response teams and a specialist cleaning plan. A COVID-19 mitigation plan and a counter-terrorism plan were also proposed.

The applicant explained that the capacity increase was intended to attract better headline acts and improve the event's infrastructure, acknowledging the commercial nature of the organisation. They also proposed reducing the capacity for minor community events from 30,000 to 12,500. The committee heard that community consultation had taken place, with further meetings planned.

60 The Highway

An application for a premises licence for rooftop premises at 60 The Highway, formerly the VW garage, was discussed. The applicant, Mr Yuval Hen, proposed a garden-style outdoor space for refreshments and socialising, with a capacity of 400 people. The proposed hours for alcohol and music were until 8:30 pm, with the premises closing at 9 pm.

Responsible authorities, including the police and environmental health, had agreed to the application subject to a comprehensive set of conditions. These conditions included the installation of a sound limiter, ensuring no audibility of sound to nearby residents, Challenge 25, polycarbonate glasses, adequate security staff, and CCTV coverage.

While most resident objections had been withdrawn after discussions with Mr Hen, two objections remained. Concerns were raised about potential noise, overlooking of neighbouring properties, and the dispersal of patrons. Mr Hen's barrister, Sarah, emphasised Mr Hen's long-standing reputation as a responsible licensee in the area, highlighting his community involvement and efforts to mitigate any potential issues. The applicant also noted that the proposed hours were within deregulated provisions, meaning the licence offered a higher degree of control. The application was for a time-limited licence, intended to run until September.

Trade Cafe, 47 Commercial Street

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for Trade Cafe at 47 Commercial Street, located within the Brick Lane Community Cumulative Impact Zone. The applicant, Mr Alex Stone, sought to extend the cafe's operating hours to include the sale of alcohol in the evenings, from Monday to Saturday until 11 pm and Sundays until 9 pm. Mr Stone, an experienced licensed operator with two restaurants in Islington, stated that this application was crucial for the survival of the Commercial Street outlet, which had seen a 50% drop in income due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The application proposed a rebuttal of the Tower Hamlets Cumulative Impact Policy, arguing that the premises qualified for exceptions due to its small capacity (48 covers) and its non-alcohol-led nature, operating within framework hours. The applicant agreed to six of the seven conditions proposed by the licensing authority, represented by Mr Mohshin Ali. The seventh condition, which would have required the premises to provide substantial table meals, was contested by the applicant, who proposed an alternative wording to prevent vertical drinking while still allowing customers to have a glass of wine with a lighter meal.

Mr Ali maintained his objection, primarily concerned about the addition of alcohol sales in a cumulative impact zone and the potential for increased antisocial behaviour, despite acknowledging the lack of a complaint history at the premises. He argued that the premises, even with seated consumption, could still function as a bar. The applicant countered that the intention was to offer a cafe experience with the option of a drink alongside food, not to become a bar, and that their management practices would prevent excessive alcohol consumption and antisocial behaviour. The applicant also highlighted the absence of objections from other responsible authorities, including the police, as significant.