The Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for the Top Secret Comedy Club. The committee was scheduled to review representations from responsible authorities and other interested parties regarding the application.

Application for a Premises Licence: Top Secret Comedy Club

The Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for the Top Secret Comedy Club, located at 10 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1BR. The application was made by Top Secret Comedy Club Limited. The proposed licensable activities included the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, exhibition of film, recorded music, performances of dance, and late-night refreshment. The requested hours for these activities were generally from 10:00 to 00:00 daily, with late-night refreshment from 23:00 to 00:00, and opening hours from 09:00 to 00:30 daily.

The report pack indicated that the application was to be determined in line with the duties under the Licensing Act 2003¹, with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Representations Received

The committee was scheduled to consider representations from various parties. The City of London Pollution Control Team submitted a representation on the grounds of preventing public nuisance. Their concerns focused on the potential for noise disturbance to residents in nearby flats, particularly from patrons congregating outside the venue and dispersing. They noted that Fetter Lane is a relatively quiet area in the evenings and at night, and that sudden increases in noise from patrons, potentially amplified by alcohol, could be noticeable and impactful.

In contrast, the Fleet Street Quarter BID² submitted a representation in support of the application. They highlighted that the proposed use would be in an empty basement and sub-basement space, previously a gym, and that its basement location would help contain sound. The BID also stated that the application aligns with the City of London's Destination City policy, aiming to attract more people into the City, and would add to the cultural and recreational offerings of the area. They also noted that the proposed closing hours were earlier than those of an adjacent pub, The Editor's Tap, which could help stagger dispersal.

Proposed Conditions and Operating Schedule

The report pack outlined conditions consistent with the operating schedule submitted by the applicant, designed to promote the licensing objectives. These included the installation and maintenance of a comprehensive digital colour CCTV system, a policy against holding promoted events, and the keeping of an incident log to record crimes, ejections, refusals of entry, refused alcohol sales, disorder, and seizures of drugs or offensive weapons. Prominent signage requesting customers to leave quietly was also proposed, along with the operation of a Challenge 25 scheme for alcohol sales. A written dispersal policy was to be in place to manage customer movement and minimise disturbance to neighbours.

The applicant's operational management and dispersal policy, detailed in an additional evidence bundle, elaborated on measures to manage customer entrance, breaks, and dispersal. This included using an efficient ticket scanning system, a digital queuing system for walk-up customers, and staggering show times to limit the number of people exiting simultaneously. During breaks, customers were permitted to smoke outside on Fetter Lane, with door staff monitoring the area to prevent nuisance. The policy also detailed how customers would be encouraged to disperse quietly and responsibly, with staff directing them towards public transport hubs.

Applicant's Background and Rationale

An evidence bundle included a biography for Mark Rothman, the owner and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). It detailed his extensive experience in running comedy clubs, including the Top Secret Comedy Club brand, which has operated in various London locations and has been credited with fostering a diverse comedy scene. The biography highlighted the club's reputation for providing a supportive environment for comedians and attracting a diverse audience. The expansion to 10 Fetter Lane was presented as a need to accommodate growing demand and create additional dedicated performance spaces.

An acoustic technical note from RBA Acoustics was also provided, assessing the potential noise impact of the venue. The report concluded that, based on measurements taken at an existing venue and the proposed site, the operation of the Top Secret Comedy Club at Fetter Lane was unlikely to adversely impact existing noise levels at nearby residential receptors. This was partly due to the presence of an adjacent pub with patrons congregating outside, suggesting that patron noise was not a new phenomenon in the area.

The committee was scheduled to consider these documents and representations in determining the premises licence application.