The Licensing Sub Committee A of Islington Council met on Tuesday 22 October 2024 to consider applications for new and varied premises licences. The meeting's agenda included discussions on a new premises licence for London Lebanese Grill and a variation to the premises licence for The Bottle Cocktail Shop.

London Lebanese Grill, 120 St John Street, EC1V 4JS - New Premises Licence

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for a new premises licence for London Lebanese Grill, located at 120 St John Street, London EC1V 4JS. The application sought permission for the sale of late-night refreshment, both on and off the premises, with proposed operating hours from 23:00 to 02:00 from Monday to Wednesday, and 23:00 to 03:00 from Thursday to Sunday.

Representations were received from the Licensing Authority, raising concerns about public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder. These concerns were primarily focused on the potential impact of delivery drivers, the premises' location within an area already saturated with similar outlets, and the potential for increased disturbance from customers of nearby late-night drinking establishments. The Licensing Authority also noted that the proposed hours exceeded the council's licensing policy for late-night refreshment premises.

Further concerns were raised by local residents regarding increased noise levels, anti-social behaviour, litter, and unpleasant food odours. Some residents highlighted that the previous occupant of the premises, a sandwich shop, had operated without causing such disturbances. There was also a specific concern about the use of a fire exit for customer and staff access, leading to noise nuisance.

The Metropolitan Police also made initial representations, indicating that while conditions could be agreed upon, they had concerns regarding the applied-for hours extending beyond the late-night refreshment framework hours.

The report pack indicated that the applicant, Lebanese Grill VIP Ltd, had proposed various measures to mitigate potential issues, including CCTV installation, staff training, operational measures, and community engagement. However, the Licensing Authority's report highlighted a lack of detail in the operating schedule regarding how the premises would be managed, particularly during later hours.

The Bottle Cocktail Shop, 129L Upper Street, N1 1QP - Premises Licence Variation

The committee was also scheduled to consider a variation to the premises licence for The Bottle Cocktail Shop, located at 129L Upper Street, London N1 1QP. The application sought to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol and the premises' opening hours. The proposed variation would allow alcohol sales and opening from 10:00 to 23:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and from 10:00 to 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The premises is situated within the Angel and Upper Street Cumulative Impact Area, meaning the committee would need to consider Licensing Policy 3, which presumes refusal for applications that could negatively impact licensing objectives unless the applicant demonstrates no adverse cumulative impact.

Representations were received from two local residents. One resident, living in a private residential estate, expressed concern about potential disruption to the street's silence due to the sale of alcohol past 22:00. Another resident, living in Islington Square, objected to the application, citing previous issues with the establishment, including loud music, unruly crowds, and a lack of cooperation with building management. Concerns were also raised about the impact of extended hours on the residential nature of Islington Square, particularly regarding noise and the potential for increased footfall through private residential roads after gates are locked.

The applicant, The Bottle Cocktail Shop Limited, stated that the proposed extension was necessary for financial viability due to their location within Islington Square, which has lower footfall than Upper Street. They highlighted their high rating and reputation, and argued that the extended hours would not adversely affect the community due to 24-hour security on the estate, controlled background music, and a focus on premium service with a limited seated capacity. The applicant also pointed to comparable trading hours of nearby venues and successful Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for late-night events as evidence of their responsible management.

The report also noted potential planning implications, as the proposed trading hours did not fully align with the approved planning trading hours for the retail unit.