Councillor Shahaveer Shubo Hussain, Chair of the licensing subcommittee, opened the meeting to discuss a new premises licence for Vittoria Wharf Studios and a variation to the Club Premise Certificate for Globe Town Community Association. No decisions were made at the meeting, and the decision deadline was extended for these applications, as well as for Feast Express, Asia Villa and Power League Paddle.

Vittoria Wharf Studios Licence Application

Vittoria's Secret Limited has applied for a new premises licence for Vittoria Wharf Studio at 10 Stour Road, London, E3 2NT. The application seeks to extend the hours for regulated entertainment and the sale of alcohol.

Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, clarified that while this is technically a new licence application, the premises already has a licence. The key difference is the request to extend opening hours on Friday and Saturday from 1am to 3am. She also sought clarification on whether the application pertains only to Unit 4 of the building.

Applicant's Submission

Mr Rees Rose, agent for the applicant, explained that the application seeks to extend the weekend hours to 3am, with a 30-minute cooling down period. He stated that they are only a small area in the bottom right-hand corner closest to the canal, which is 11 by 13 metres, a single room on the second floor. He also noted that the police had agreed to two conditions and had seen their dispersal policy in action, deeming it suitable.

Mr Rees Rose said:

We were also told that once we demonstrated that we were capable of operating successfully with the current licence, that we should come back and apply for a later extension, which is why we're here now, basically.

He also stated that the studio has operated as a private hire space for the last 10 years, sometimes until 3 or 4am, and they are trying to bring the current application in line with those activities.

Objections

Environmental Health

Nicola Kadzo, presenting on behalf of Tim Hull, the noise officer, raised concerns about the prevention of public nuisance. She referenced a Section 80 notice¹ served on the property's freeholder years ago due to noise complaints. She highlighted concerns about patrons leaving the venue at 3:30am, when there is no public transport available, potentially causing disturbance to local residents as they walk or take taxis home.

Resident

Yuri Lee raised concerns about dispersal policies inherently causing disturbance, including conversations and car door slamming. He argued that previous events have already generated nuisance and that the extended hours would add to the cumulative disturbance, affecting residents' quality of life. He also noted the rapid densification of the area and the importance of not setting an unsustainable precedent for extending opening hours.

Support

Iona Constantino, a resident in the same warehouse yard, stated that she had not experienced any issues with noise from the unit. She noted that the unit has a separate entrance, so residents do not come into contact with people entering or leaving. She also felt that granting the licence could encourage other spaces in the area to operate in a more licensed and official way.

Questions and Discussion

Councillor Faroque Ahmed asked about the dispersal policy and the use of Security Industry Authority (SIA) accredited personnel². Mr Rees Rose explained that SIA personnel would be present on weekend nights, but not necessarily during the week for smaller events.

Councillor Faroque Ahmed also raised concerns about access to the site and how customers would be picked up by taxis after 3am. Mr Rees Rose clarified that the venue is located on the corner of Stour Road and taxis could approach from three different directions.

Councillor Musthak Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth) asked how the application mitigates the effects of high-spirited patrons being provided alcohol beyond framework hours³. Mr Rees Rose detailed the staggered dispersal policy, including ceasing music, providing a 15-minute drinking-up time, and having staff and security encourage people to leave quietly.

Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, sought confirmation that the application was just for Unit 4, as this was not clear in the application. Mr Rees Rose confirmed that it was only for Unit 4, and that there are 21 other units in the warehouse block.

Globe Town Community Association Certificate Variation

Globe Town Community Association, located at 152-156 Roman Road, London, E2 0RY, has applied for a variation to their club premise certificate. The application seeks to extend the hours for the sale/supply of alcohol and to add regulated entertainment (live music).

Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, stated that the application seeks to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol and to add regulated entertainment (live music) on Saturdays only, after 11pm. She also noted some confusion in the application regarding the hours, clarifying that the association was not seeking to reduce their daytime hours, but rather to extend their evening hours.

Applicant's Submission

Mr John Embry, representing the Globe Town Community Association, stated that they have been in the Globes Family Community Association for over 30 years and have never had issues with the police or fights. He said that they only want an hour's extension on a Saturday night and that the place is soundproofed with cameras. He also stated that the clientele are from 25 to 90 years of age and that they do not have music every night, but rather once on a Saturday night every fortnight.

Mr John Embry said:

the complaints all seem to be complaining about just down the road they're the ones that's causing the problem we're getting the backlash of it that's what it seems to me

He also mentioned that they let a woman who works for the council use the space for their parents' carers on Wednesdays when they are closed.

Objections

Chaterhouse Tenants Association

Stephen Murphy, director and chairman of the Chaterhouse Tenants Association, objected to the extension, citing concerns about noise disruption to residents, including key workers and young families. He stated that there have been multiple complaints from residents about excessive noise from the Globe Town Community Association, with no response from the association. He also raised concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area and the potential impact on the saleability and mortgageability of residential flats.

Resident

Fabrizio Labrozzi, a resident living directly above the premises, stated that the association never respects the closing times and that there has been recorded music played regularly every night. He also claimed that live events have already been held twice a month without a licence. He expressed concerns about the noise from music, vibrations, slamming doors, and chairs being dragged around the floor.

Questions and Discussion

Councillor Faroque Ahmed asked about the maximum number of people expected for live music events. Mr John Embry stated that the most people they have on one night is 45 to 55, and that is only on New Year's Eve.

Councillor Faroque Ahmed also asked about the soundproofing system. Mr John Embry stated that they have soundproofing and that when the music starts, they shut the shutters down.

Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, read out the conditions agreed with the noise team, including restrictions on loudspeakers and the use of anti-vibration mounts. She also mentioned the requirement for a noise limiter to be fitted.

Mr John Embry said:

what I'm trying to say is we have music one night a week which is on a Saturday which is every other week every two weeks