The Licensing Sub-Committee E of Hackney Council met on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to consider two applications. The committee approved an application for a premises licence for Cafe Kowloon, with several amendments to the proposed hours and conditions. They also approved an application to vary a premises licence for The Haggerston.

Application for a Premises Licence: Cafe Kowloon, Arches 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH

The committee approved the application for a premises licence for Cafe Kowloon, located at Arches 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH. The decision was made after considering representations from the Licensing Authority and local residents.

The approved hours for the sale of alcohol (on the premises) are:

• Sunday to Tuesday: 11:00 - 22:00
• Wednesday to Saturday: 11:00 - 22:30
• Sundays before bank holidays: 11:00 - 23:00

The opening hours of the premises will be:

• Monday to Saturday: 08:00 - 23:00
• Sunday: 08:00 - 22:00
• Sundays before bank holidays: 08:00 - 23:00

Several conditions were amended or added to the licence. These include:

• Removal of duplicate conditions and Late night refreshment from the application.
• A condition that staff must monitor the front of the premises and any queue to ensure it remains orderly.
• A condition that no refuse or bottles are to be placed in external receptacles or outside the premises between 21:00 and 08:00.
• A crucial amendment to condition 26, stating that alcohol shall only be sold, supplied, or consumed on the premises to persons taking substantial seated table meals, with consumption being ancillary to these meals. Alcohol supply is restricted to waiter or waitress service only.
• Additional conditions include the closure of the outside area at 22:00, all windows and external doors to be closed at 22:00, a smoking area limited to 10 smokers, and the submission of a written Dispersal Policy and Crowd Management Plan for approval by the Licensing Authority and Police.
• The Premises Licence Holder must maintain a dedicated contact telephone number and email address available at all times to local residents and responsible authorities for complaints.

The reasons for the decision highlighted that the committee was satisfied that the licensing objectives would not be undermined. While the Licensing Authority objected to the proposed hours due to potential public nuisance, these were reduced. Numerous representations were received from local residents expressing concerns about noise, anti-social behaviour, and the impact on the residential character of Mentmore Terrace¹. Councillor Antoinette Bramble represented the concerns of over 10 local residents regarding the impact of late-night premises. The committee considered these concerns and felt that the added conditions would mitigate them.

Application to Vary a Premises Licence: The Haggerston, 438 Kingsland Road, Hackney, London, E8 4AA

The committee approved the application to vary the premises licence for The Haggerston, located at 438 Kingsland Road, Hackney, London, E8 4AA. The variation sought to extend terminal hours for licensable activities on Thursdays to Sundays, increase the capacity in the garden, and allow drinks to be taken into the garden area.

The approved variations include:

• Extended hours for licensable activities on Thursdays (until 01:00), Fridays and Saturdays (until 03:00), and Sundays (until 03:00).
• An additional hour for March Daylight Savings Time and New Year's Eve opening times.
• An increase in garden capacity from 20 to 40 persons.
• Permission for drinks in plastic cups to be taken into the garden until it closes.

The Police withdrew their representation following discussions with the applicant, and the Licensing Authority also withdrew their representation based on agreed conditions. Two representations opposing the application were received from local residents on the grounds of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and protection of children. Ten representations were received in support of the application.

Additional conditions agreed upon include:

• SIA security staff will be instructed to discourage customers from crossing the road towards residential premises on Englefield Road and Kingsland Road and to remind them to respect the neighbourhood.
• A sound limiting device will be installed to control regulated entertainment, set to prevent noise nuisance in sensitive or residential premises. This device will be locked, tested annually, and a certificate provided to the Licensing Authority.

The applicant, ACME Bars Ltd, argued that these extensions are crucial for the business's survival and its ability to continue supporting local arts and culture. They highlighted the success of their Sunday jazz sessions, which have been a long-standing event since 2008, and the positive impact of their community and charity events. The applicant also noted that they have used Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for the proposed hours without incident and are accredited with the 'Hackney Nights' scheme, reporting zero noise complaints. The increase in garden capacity was proposed to improve customer flow and safety.

The decision to approve the variation was made after considering the applicant's arguments, the representations from objectors, and the proposed additional conditions aimed at promoting the licensing objectives.