The Licensing Sub-Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 7 June 2022, with Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, chairing the meeting. The committee considered an application to review the premises licence of Silber, Soki, Terrigal, Thames, Wapping, Pierre, King, Henry's, Stairs, Wapping, High Street, London, E1 2 and R, and an application for a variation of the premises licence for Rafa Racing Cycle Club, Spitalfields Market, 61263 Brashfield Street, London, E16AA. The committee also agreed to extend decision deadlines for several other applications.

Review of Premises Licence for Silber, Soki, Terrigal, Thames, Wapping, Pierre, King, Henry's, Stairs, Wapping, High Street, London, E1 2 and R

The committee heard that an application had been made to review the premises licence for Silber, Soki, Terrigal, Thames, Wapping, Pierre, King, Henry's, Stairs, Wapping, High Street, London, E1 2 and R. The review was initially triggered by a resident, with no further representations received from other parties. However, the applicant and the premises licence holder reached an agreement, and the applicant wished to withdraw the review.

The subcommittee was advised that, despite the withdrawal, the hearing had to proceed to determine the review under Section 52(2) of the Licensing Act 2003. As there were no relevant representations from any other parties and the parties involved did not wish for any further action to be taken, the subcommittee was satisfied that no further steps were needed to promote the licensing objectives.

Decision: The subcommittee decided to take no action.

Variation of Premises Licence for Rafa Racing Cycle Club, Spitalfields Market, 61263 Brashfield Street, London, E16AA

An application was made to vary the premises licence for Rafa Racing Cycle Club, located at Spitalfields Market, 61263 Brashfield Street, London, E16AA. The variation sought to update the premises plan and extend the operating hours. The current licence allows for the sale of alcohol until 9 pm, with proposed new hours extending to 11 pm, and opening hours from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm.

The application initially received objections from Environmental Health, represented by Nicola Kadzo, and several residents. However, following negotiations and the offer of a substantial list of conditions by the applicant, most objectors, including the Spitalfields Market Residents Association and the Spitalfields Residents Against Anti-Social Behaviour Association, withdrew their objections. The Metropolitan Police Service also raised no objection.

Mr. Andrew Woods, legal representative for the premises licence holder, explained that the intention was for the premises to operate as a bona fide restaurant, with alcohol only being served ancillary to a table meal. He highlighted that all customers would be seated, with waitress service, and that vertical drinking would be prohibited. He also detailed conditions relating to a small outside area, including earlier closing times and restrictions on what could take place there, mirroring indoor activities. He noted that the proposed conditions, numbering 48, were extensive but necessary to address residents' concerns and to ensure the premises operated as a restaurant. Mr. Woods argued that the policy for the Brookline area, which includes Brushfield Street, was primarily aimed at stopping premises from operating after 11 pm and that restaurants were treated less rigidly. He emphasised that the premises would not be alcohol-led but food-led, operating within framework hours.

Nicola Kadzo, representing Environmental Health, expressed concerns about public nuisance due to the proposed extension of hours, particularly for the outside terrace area, despite the applicant's assurances. She noted that the premises are within the Brick Lane community of impact zone, which is a particular concern. Ms. Kadzo stated that while the applicant had not communicated specific conditions they would consider for the application, she would wish for consideration of the Community Impact Zone (CIZ) and the limitation of numbers in the external area if the extension were granted.

During questioning, Mr. Toby Brown, Market Director at Old Spitalfields Market, assured the committee that the market had robust management in place, including 24-hour security and CCTV, and that the premises themselves were constructed with thick concrete, minimising noise. He stated that the market had actively reduced the number of licensed premises over the past decade, shifting towards a retail-led model. He confirmed that the proposed 46 conditions would apply to the entire opening hours, not just the extended period, and that the lease with any new operator would include clear legal obligations to comply with the licence.

Decision: The subcommittee will deliver its decision in a private session after the meeting, with a formal written notification to be sent within five working days.

Extension of Decision Deadlines

The committee agreed to extend the decision deadlines for several applications. These included:

• The Space Spitalfields, 44 Commercial Street
• The Breakhouse Cafe, Unit 17, Block Riverbank, Brussels Wharf, Wapping Wall
• Reg Church Studios, 58 Richard Street
• Orange, 14 Beacon Street
• Unit 6, Forbys Passage, Canary Wharf
• Into Sport, 40 Harboured Square
• Studio Space Limited, 110 Pennington Street
• The Hungry Tummy, 24A Wentworth Street
• Oval Venues Limited, Oval Cafe
• Cheshire Street Mini Market, 68 Cheshire Street

Decision: The decision deadline for these applications was extended to 31 August 2022.