The Licensing Sub-Committee of Havering Council met on Monday 02 September 2024 to consider an application for a premises licence for Station Parade Lounge. The committee granted the licence, subject to a number of conditions aimed at promoting the licensing objectives.

Application for Premises Licence for Station Parade Lounge

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a premises licence for Station Parade Lounge, located at 1 Station Parade, Hornchurch, RM12 5AB. The applicant, Station Parade Lounge Limited, sought permission to sell alcohol from 12:00 to 23:00 daily and to open from 07:00 to 23:00 daily. The premises, formerly a barbershop, is intended to operate as a restaurant and cafe.

During the consultation period, conditions were agreed with the Metropolitan Police Licensing Unit and the Licensing Authority. These included:

• Alcohol to be sold only to persons seated and eating a meal, for consumption with that meal.
• Alcohol to be sold by waiter/waitress service only.
• Installation and maintenance of a comprehensive CCTV system, with recordings retained for 31 days and available to authorities upon request.
• Operation of a Challenge 25 proof of age policy.
• Staff to receive appropriate training on age-restricted sales and licensing conditions, with refresher training every six months.
• Maintenance of a written refusals record and an incident book.
• Prominent notices at exits requesting patrons to respect local residents and leave quietly.
• All reasonable steps to be taken by a dedicated staff member to prevent patrons from congregating outside the premises.

Two representations were made against the application: one from Mr. S Aiken, a local resident, and another from Mr. J B White, Club Chairman of the Royal British Legion Elm Park Club Limited. Concerns raised included potential increases in anti-social behaviour, noise disruption, public nuisance, and risks to the protection of children from harm, particularly due to the proximity of nurseries and residential dwellings. Mr. Aiken also raised concerns about the potential for the light meals offered to be abused as a primary means of selling alcohol, and the impact on property values.

The applicant's legal representative, Andrew Barnes, addressed these concerns, stating that the premises would not be a shisha bar and that the applicant had lived and owned a business in the area for over 25 years, demonstrating a strong understanding of the local environment. He also highlighted that the police and licensing authority had no objections to the application once the agreed conditions were in place.

The Sub-Committee noted that a planning application for a conservatory at the premises had been refused and that the applicant had no intention of appealing this decision. A pavement licence had also been granted for external seating, with a terminal hour of 21:00.

After considering all representations and submissions, the Licensing Sub-Committee resolved to grant the premises licence for Station Parade Lounge. However, this decision was subject to a number of additional conditions imposed by the members, including:

• Off-sales of alcohol to be restricted to the outside area defined by the pavement licence, between 12:00 and 21:00.
• A direct telephone number for the manager to be publicly available at all times the premises is open.
• All doors and windows to be kept closed after 21:00, unless contrary to fire precautions.
• Deliveries of alcoholic products to the premises to occur only between Monday and Saturday, 8am to 6pm.
• All tables and chairs to be removed from the outside area by 21:00 each day.
• Alcohol to be served ancillary to a substantial meal .

The committee emphasised that should any of the four licensing objectives be undermined in the future, residents, councillors, or responsible authorities have the right to bring the matter before the committee for review.