The Hackney Council Licensing Sub Committee D met on 1 May 2025 to discuss applications for premises licences for Pirate Studios and Oak Wine Lounge. The committee reviewed the applications, considered representations from responsible authorities and local residents, and ultimately made decisions on whether to grant the licenses.

Pirate Studios, 42-56 Tottenham Road, N1 4BZ

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for Pirate Studios, located at 42-56 Tottenham Road, N1 4BZ. Pirate Studios Limited applied for the licence to authorise live music, recorded music, and the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises from Monday to Sunday.

The application requested the following hours:

• Live Music: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-21:30
• Recorded Music: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-22:00
• Supply of Alcohol: Monday to Thursday, 10:00-23:00; Friday and Saturday, 10:00-00:00; Sunday, 10:00-22:30
• Non-standard Hours: New Year’s Eve - start 10:00, finish 00:30
• Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 07:00-02:00

The premises were not currently licensed for any activity, but had submitted temporary event notices in the past.

Representations were received from the police authority on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. Five representations were received from local residents on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and prevention of public nuisance.

The police raised concerns about anti-social behaviour associated with the venue and believed that the addition of alcohol sales could exacerbate these issues. They also requested more information about how the sale of alcohol would be managed, particularly after 23:00/00:00 when the venue remains open until 02:00.

Local residents objected to the application, raising concerns about:

• Potential for increased public nuisance due to noise, especially late at night.
• Potential for increased crime and disorder.
• Protection of children from harm, given the proximity to residential blocks and De Beauvoir Primary School.

The applicant, Pirate Studios, described their business as:

Pirate Studios is a UK based multinational company. Founded in 2015 in Bristol, it now spans more than 700 studios worldwide, providing affordable music studios for rehearsing bands, DJs, producers and dancers.

The applicant stated that they had run a monthly event at the Dalston site called Aux, which is a guest-listed, ticketed event in their communal space where musicians can play their latest music.

The applicant proposed several conditions to be added to the licence, including:

• CCTV system and recorded images
• SIA¹ registered door staff
• Bag searches
• No customer alcohol to be brought onto the site
• Staff training on age restrictions, prevention of underage sales, and recognising signs of drunkenness
• Refusal book
• First aid box
• Regular safety checks
• Incident log and public liability insurance
• No glassware on site
• Restrictions on noise emanating from the premises
• Dispersal policy
• Challenge 25 policy²

Oak Wine Lounge, 263 Mare Street London E8 3NS

The committee considered an application for a premises licence for Oak Wine Lounge, located at 263 Mare Street, London E8 3NS. Mr Huseyin Ulus applied for the licence to authorise the supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from Monday to Sunday.

The application requested the following hours:

• Supply of Alcohol (On and Off Premises): Monday to Sunday, 11:00-01:00
• Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00-01:00

The premises were not currently licensed for any activity, and no temporary event notices had been given for the premises in the current year.

Representations from the Environmental Health Authority were withdrawn following amendments to the application to remove recorded music and late-night refreshment. The police authority submitted representations on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. No representations were received from local residents.

The police requested more information about why off-sales were required and asked that alcohol sales finish at 00:30 to allow 30 minutes 'drinking up' time before closing at 01:00. They also sought clarification on how the venue planned to operate and manage numbers inside, given the discrepancy between seating for 28 and a capacity of approximately 50.

The applicant proposed several conditions to be added to the licence, including:

• CCTV system
• Staff training on responsible alcohol sales
• Challenge 25 policy
• Refusal book and incident log
• Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Fire Risk Assessment
• Signs requesting customers to leave quietly
• Minimum Drinks Pricing³