The Licensing Sub Committee A is scheduled to consider a review of the premises licence for Gem Restaurant, located at 265 Upper Street, London, N1 2UQ. This review has been triggered by an application from the Metropolitan Police, citing serious crime and disorder.

Premises Licence Review - Gem Restaurant

The primary item scheduled for discussion is a review of the premises licence for Gem Restaurant, located at 265 Upper Street, London, N1 2UQ. This review has been initiated by the Metropolitan Police under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003, which relates to premises associated with serious crime, serious disorder, or both.

The report pack details a serious incident that occurred on 16 May 2026, involving a knife attack in the basement area of the premises, known as the Hidden Gem . The incident resulted in multiple stab victims. The police report highlights concerns regarding the management's response to the incident, including alleged interference with CCTV footage and a lack of immediate cooperation with attending officers. The Metropolitan Police are seeking the revocation of the premises licence due to these serious concerns and a perceived lack of confidence in the venue's management to uphold licensing objectives.

The Licensing Authority has also submitted a representation supporting the review, citing concerns related to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. Their representation details a history of complaints and alleged breaches of licence conditions since Mr Eyup Ozturk became the premises licence holder and Designated Premises Supervisor in March 2025. These include issues with noise nuisance, breaches of smoking regulations, and obstructive behaviour towards council officers. The Licensing Authority recommends either the revocation of the licence or significant restrictions, including the removal of the basement as a licensed area, reduced operating hours, and the removal of Mr Ozturk as the Designated Premises Supervisor.

The Neighbourhood Engagement Team has also submitted a representation concerning public nuisance. They report numerous complaints regarding loud amplified music and bass vibrations emanating from the premises, particularly from the basement, which have allegedly disturbed local residents. The team notes that a Section 80 notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 was served on the premises in January 2026 due to witnessed noise nuisance. They recommend that all regulated entertainment be withdrawn until a satisfactory noise survey is conducted and approved, and that operating hours be reduced.

The landlord of the building has also submitted a representation, detailing concerns about health and safety, illegal nightclub operations in the basement, and alleged violations of the lease agreement. They highlight the lack of a fire exit in the basement and the potential danger posed by the premises' operation.

The report pack also includes witness statements from PC Darren Emanuel of the Metropolitan Police, detailing the incident and the grounds for the review. It also contains correspondence from the Licensing Authority and the Neighbourhood Engagement Team to the licence holder, outlining previous concerns and warnings. The current premises licence for Gem Restaurant is also included, detailing the licensable activities and operating hours.

The meeting will follow the procedure for hearing licensing review applications under the Licensing Act 2003, which involves introductions, presentations from responsible authorities, interested parties, and the applicant, followed by questioning, deliberation, and a decision.

The documents available for this meeting are the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.