The Licensing Sub Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday, 25 January 2024, to consider three applications for new premises licences. The applications were for a carwash at 1 Quaker Street, Bar Ceylon at 57 Commercial Street, and Princelyn Grocery & Restaurant at 477 Bethnal Green Road. All three applications had received representations from responsible authorities and/or other persons, raising concerns about the promotion of licensing objectives.

Application for a Premises Licence for (Carwash), 1 Quaker Street, London E1 6SZ

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for (Carwash) at 1 Quaker Street, London E1 6SZ. The application sought permission for the retail sale of alcohol for both on and off-site consumption, with proposed hours from 11:00 to 23:00 daily. The premises were described by the applicant, Damon Borley, as a venue primarily for promotional activities, community, and arts events.

Representations were received from Environmental Protection, the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police, and several residents. Key concerns raised by objectors included the potential for public nuisance, particularly from noise breakout from the outdoor event space, and issues related to access and egress for patrons. The location of the premises within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIA) was also a significant factor in the representations, with objectors arguing that the application did not adequately demonstrate how it would avoid negatively impacting the already saturated area and contributing to existing issues of anti-social behaviour and noise. Environmental Protection specifically noted that while the applicant had offered noise conditions, they were not satisfied that the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance would be promoted. The Metropolitan Police also raised concerns about the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and noise, particularly in relation to the off-sales element and the lack of control over where alcohol would be consumed.

The applicant had offered a comprehensive set of conditions within their operating schedule, covering areas such as staff training, incident logging, CCTV operation, age verification (Challenge 25), restrictions on super-strength lagers, and waste management. Conditions agreed with the Metropolitan Police were also detailed, including requirements for CCTV, an incident log, a dispersal policy, and risk assessments for events.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Bar Ceylon, 57 Commercial Street, London E1 6BD

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Bar Ceylon, located at the Basement & Ground Floor, 57 Commercial Street, London E1 6BD. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption only, along with regulated entertainment (plays and recorded music) and late-night refreshment. The proposed hours for these activities were Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 23:00, and Friday to Saturday from 11:00 to 24:00. The applicant, Adam Ramsey, had not provided a clear description of the business's nature.

Representations were received from Environmental Protection, the Licensing Authority, the Metropolitan Police, and several residents, including the resident group SPIRE and the Spitalfields and Banglatown Ward Panel. Concerns focused on the potential for public nuisance, anti-social behaviour (ASB), and crime and disorder. The premises' location within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIA) was highlighted as a significant concern, with objectors arguing that the area is already saturated with licensed premises and experiences considerable issues with ASB, noise, and public urination. The Metropolitan Police objected on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder, public nuisance, and protecting children from harm, noting the applicant's failure to offer specific conditions beyond existing requirements and questioning the suitability of late hours without adequate policies. Environmental Protection also raised concerns about noise breakout and the impact on neighbouring residents, particularly given the premises' location within the CIA.

The applicant had offered some conditions in their operating schedule, but these were deemed insufficient by the objectors. The Metropolitan Police specifically requested conditions related to CCTV, an incident log, a dispersal policy, and a Challenge 25 scheme. Environmental Protection requested conditions related to noise control, including restrictions on loudspeaker placement, keeping doors and windows closed during regulated entertainment, and prominent signage for patrons leaving the premises. Some objectors indicated a willingness to withdraw their objections if specific conditions, such as no vertical drinking and alcohol only being served with food, were attached to the licence.

Application for a New Premises Licence for Princelyn Grocery & Restaurant, 477 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 9QH

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Princelyn Grocery & Restaurant at 477 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 9QH. The applicant, Princelyn Garden LTD, described the premises as an African Caribbean grocery store with a restaurant for eat-in and takeaway. The application sought permission for the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption, regulated entertainment (recorded music), and late-night refreshment. The proposed hours for alcohol sales were Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 to 23:30, and Friday to Saturday from 10:00 to 00:30. Late-night refreshment and recorded music were also applied for during these hours, with extended non-standard timings for Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Representations were received from Environmental Protection and the Licensing Authority. The primary concerns related to the premises' location within the Bethnal Green Cumulative Impact Zone (CIA) and the potential for public nuisance. Environmental Protection noted that while the proposed hours were within the council's framework hours for weekdays, the application lacked sufficient information on how the applicant would promote the licensing objectives, particularly concerning public nuisance. Specific concerns were raised about noise breakout, access and egress for patrons, and the impact of the proposed late hours and non-standard timings on neighbouring residents. The capacity of the restaurant (estimated at 40-45 people) and the potential for patrons to leave at once, especially after functions, were also highlighted as a concern for undermining licensing objectives. The Licensing Authority noted that the application did not fall within the stated exceptions to the CIA policy, placing the onus on the applicant to demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

The applicant had proposed a number of conditions in their operating schedule, including CCTV, staff training on anti-social behaviour management, prominent notices for patrons leaving the premises, responsible waste disposal, a 'Challenge 25' age verification policy, and allowing accompanied children until 21:00. However, these were deemed insufficient by the objectors in light of the CIA designation and the proposed hours.