The Licensing Sub Committee of Haringey Council met on Thursday 8 February 2024 to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Mama Juana Restaurant Bar. The committee rejected the application to extend the operating hours and alcohol sales.

Application to Vary Premises Licence for Mama Juana Restaurant Bar

The Licensing Sub Committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for Mama Juana Restaurant Bar, located at 420 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 9JB, to extend its operating hours and the sale of alcohol. The application sought to extend regulated entertainment, live music, and recorded music until 1:00 AM on Thursdays and 3:00 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The sale of alcohol was also requested to align with these extended hours.

The applicant, Ms Yesenia Cuevas Ramirez, represented by Mr Godwin Adjei, argued that the extended hours were necessary for the economic viability of the business, citing competition from similar establishments in the area. They also highlighted changes made to the premises, including soundproofing and increased security, to address potential concerns. Ms Ramirez also explained that communication issues, partly due to English not being her first language and a neighbour's inability to deliver mail, had contributed to delays in responding to the police following an incident.

However, the Metropolitan Police, represented by PC Yianni, objected to the application. The police raised concerns regarding the potential impact on the licensing objectives of public safety, prevention of crime and disorder, and prevention of public nuisance. They highlighted an incident on 2 April 2023 involving a firearm outside the premises, which they stated could have had severe consequences. The police also expressed concern about the applicant's delayed response to their attempts to contact her following this incident, noting that it took over three months to establish communication. Furthermore, the police presented evidence suggesting the premises may have been operating beyond its licensed hours on the night of the firearm incident, contradicting the applicant's account. The police also noted that the premises is located on a busy high road with residential properties nearby, and the proposed late hours could lead to increased noise and potential disorder, particularly during customer dispersal.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered all representations. They noted the applicant's stated intention to increase security and soundproofing, but were ultimately persuaded by the police's concerns. The committee found that the applicant had not demonstrated adherence to the current licence conditions, particularly regarding the incident on 2 April 2023 and the subsequent lack of communication with the police. The Sub-Committee concluded that granting the extended hours would pose a risk to the licensing objectives, specifically the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. Therefore, the application to vary the premises licence was rejected.

The decision means that Mama Juana Restaurant Bar will continue to operate under its existing licence conditions, with alcohol sales and regulated entertainment ending at 11:00 PM from Monday to Saturday and 9:00 PM on Sundays and Bank Holidays.