The Licensing (2003 Act) Sub-Committee of Newham Council met on Thursday 23 July 2026. The committee was scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for The Crystxl Lounge Ltd.

The Crystxl Lounge Ltd, 339 Barking Road, East Ham

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to hear and determine an application for a new premises licence for The Crystxl Lounge Ltd, located at 339 Barking Road, East Ham, London E6 1LA. The application sought permission for the supply of alcohol, exhibition of films, live music, and recorded music, with proposed opening hours from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Sundays.

Representations were received from the Council Commercial Environmental Team, the Council Licensing Team, and the Council Trading Standards Team.

The Commercial Environmental Health Team raised concerns about potential public nuisance from live and recorded music, and from amplified sound accompanying films. They proposed conditions that all music be background music only and that films be shown silently using wireless headphones. The applicant, Shereen-Crystal Emmanuel, Director of The Crystxl Lounge Ltd, responded by explaining that the venue is intended as a small, pre-booked events space for activities like sip and paint sessions, workshops, and private parties, rather than a nightclub. She proposed alternative measures, including managing music and film audio at controlled levels, regular checks of noise levels at the premises boundary, and a willingness to purchase a calibrated sound level meter. She also stated that purchasing sufficient wireless headphones for all attendees would be a significant financial challenge for the new business.

The Licensing Team's representation focused on the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. Concerns were raised about the lack of specific conditions addressing these objectives, particularly regarding alcohol control, access to barber equipment at the premises' entrance, and safeguarding training for events involving children. The applicant provided a comprehensive Safeguarding & Customer Safety Policy, which detailed measures such as a Challenge 25 policy, staff training, refusal registers, incident logs, and specific procedures for protecting children. The applicant also clarified that access to the premises is through a separate barber shop, Cut Above The Rest, and that barbering equipment would be securely stored and inaccessible during licensed events.

The Trading Standards Team also raised concerns regarding the protection of children from harm, specifically requesting clarification on the definition of a child, appropriate events for children, and measures to prevent proxy sales of alcohol. They also sought further information on film classification procedures and the function of staff in relation to alcohol sales. The applicant's updated Safeguarding & Customer Safety Policy addressed these points, defining a child as under 18, clarifying appropriate family-friendly events, and stating a voluntary commitment not to sell alcohol during events specifically organised for children. The policy also detailed procedures for film classifications and measures to prevent proxy sales.

Due to an oversight, the Sub-Committee was required to adjourn the meeting. The outcome of the application and any imposed conditions were not determined at this meeting.