The Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee of Waltham Forest Council met on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Orient Lounge. The committee decided to grant the application in part, approving extended hours for alcohol sales and late-night refreshment, as well as the hours the premises is open to the public, but refused to remove a condition restricting the use of the rear enclosed area and added a new condition requiring the premises to display a contact number for residents.

Variation of Premises Licence for Orient Lounge

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Mr Florenc Sadiku, the applicant and holder of the premises licence for Orient Lounge, located at 389 High Road, Leyton, E10 5NA. The application sought to vary the licence to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol, recorded music, and the general opening hours of the premises. Specifically, the applicant requested to extend hours from Sunday to Thursday until 00:00 and on Friday and Saturday until 02:00. The application also requested to extend late-night refreshment hours to Sunday to Thursday until 00:00 and Friday and Saturday until 02:00. A key part of the application was the request to remove a condition that restricted the use of the rear enclosed area to between 07:00 and 21:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, and 07:00 to 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

During the consultation period, the Licensing Service received six representations from other persons and three from responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police, the Planning Department, and the Licensing Team. These representations raised concerns related to the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance, public safety, and preventing crime and disorder.

During the hearing, the Sub-Committee heard from the applicant's legal representative, Asitha Ranatunga, and Mr Sadiku himself. Representations were also heard from PC Ian Wagstaff of the Metropolitan Police, Fareeha Malik from the Premises Licensing team, and Maria Secova, a resident.

The Sub-Committee decided to grant the application in part. The approved variations include:

• Sale of alcohol for consumption on premises: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 23:30, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 00:00.
• Late Night Refreshment: Sunday to Thursday from 23:00 to 23:30, and Friday and Saturday from 23:00 to 00:00.
• Hours open to the public: Sunday to Thursday from 07:00 to 00:00, and Friday and Saturday from 07:00 to 00:30.

However, the Sub-Committee refused the request to remove the condition restricting the use of the rear enclosed area, meaning the condition that the rear enclosed area shall only be open to the public between 07:00 and 21:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, and 07:00 to 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, remains in place.

Additionally, the Sub-Committee agreed to add a new condition: a suitably worded sign, of a size A4 or larger, shall be displayed at the premises providing the Premises Licence Holder's contact number for residents to use if any issues emanate from the premises.

The Sub-Committee's decision was based on careful consideration of the agenda pack, written and oral representations, the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Revised Home Office Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. They noted that the premises is in close proximity to residential homes and that representations from responsible authorities and other persons indicated that removing the condition on the rear enclosed area would have an adverse impact on residents' lives and undermine the licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee also decided not to grant the extension for recorded music hours due to significant public nuisance concerns. They acknowledged that the premises had only been open for a few months and had already received representations and complaints, but also noted that there had been no further complaints since January 7th, the applicant had hired a new licensing agent, and was willing to provide his contact number and reduce the hours applied for. The Sub-Committee concluded that granting the application in part would uphold the licensing objectives.