The Licensing Sub-Committee of Enfield Council was scheduled to consider two applications: a new premises licence for a community interest company and a variation to an existing premises licence for a café. Both applications involved requests for extended hours and the provision of regulated entertainment, with significant objections raised by responsible authorities and other parties.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Ingiltere Tavla Koyu Sosyal Dayanisma Dernegi Community Interest Company

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for Ingiltere Tavla Koyu Sosyal Dayanisma Dernegi Community Interest Company (CIC) at 13C-D Queensway, Enfield, EN3 4SA. The applicant described the premises as a non-profit making community centre providing activities and events for adults and children.

The application sought authorisation for various licensable activities, including opening hours from 10:00 to 00:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 10:00 to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Alcohol sales were requested from 11:00 to 23:30 Sunday to Thursday, and 11:00 to 00:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. Live and recorded music were also requested until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with late-night refreshment until 00:00 Sunday to Thursday and 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Representations were received from three Other Parties (OP1-OP3) objecting to the application on grounds relating to all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. Concerns included alleged disorder associated with events, patrons congregating outside the building, litter, parking issues within the industrial estate, and the safety of pedestrians and children. The Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Authority initially made representations but withdrew their objections after the applicant agreed to proposed conditions.

The report pack detailed the relevant law, guidance, and policies, including the Licensing Act 2003 and the London Borough of Enfield's Licensing Policy Statement. It outlined the Sub-Committee's duties when considering new applications, including determining whether the proposed operation was likely to undermine the licensing objectives and whether conditions were appropriate and proportionate. The report also detailed proposed licence conditions agreed between the applicant and the Licensing Authority, covering areas such as CCTV, staff training, customer dispersal, litter control, and protection of children. The Sub-Committee had several options, including granting the licence in full, granting it with modified hours, activities, or conditions, excluding certain activities, or rejecting the application.

Application for Variation of Premises Licence: Buteco

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for Buteco, located on the First Floor, Unit 7L Nobel Road, London, N18 3BH. The premises currently operates as a café/restaurant and holds a licence granted in August 2025, which restricted alcohol sales to being ancillary to table meals.

The variation application sought to significantly alter the operating model. The proposed changes included extending alcohol sales on Fridays and Saturdays from 22:30 to 02:30, and introducing late-night refreshment, live music, recorded music, and performances of dance on Fridays and Saturdays from 23:00 to 02:30. An update to the premises plan was also requested.

Both the Metropolitan Police and the Licensing Authority submitted objections to the variation application. The Police representation highlighted that the original licence was granted based on a café-style operation with alcohol ancillary to table meals and expressed concern that the variation would fundamentally alter this model, moving towards a late-night entertainment and alcohol-led venue. They argued that the applicant had not demonstrated how the licensing objectives would be promoted during the proposed extended hours and that the existing conditions were not designed for a late-night operation. Specific concerns were raised regarding the lack of door supervision, capacity management, queue management, and other measures to prevent crime and disorder, public safety, and public nuisance.

The Licensing Authority's representation echoed these concerns, noting that the premises had already demonstrated non-compliance with its current licence conditions during an out-of-hours inspection. Breaches included no refused sales record, individuals drinking after permitted hours, and a lack of required signage and record-keeping. The Authority argued that these failings indicated an inability to manage basic nuisance-prevention measures and that the proposed variation would significantly increase risks in an unsuitable industrial estate location.

The report outlined the legal framework and guidance, emphasizing the Sub-Committee's duty to consider all representations and determine whether the variation would undermine the licensing objectives. The options available to the Sub-Committee included granting the variation in full, granting it with modified hours, activities, or conditions, refusing part of the application, or refusing the entire application.