The Licensing Sub Committee D of Hackney Council met on Thursday 29 May 2025 to consider a premises licence application for Bread & Butter, located at 7 Enfield Road, London, N1 5EN. The committee approved the premises licence with amended conditions, including a revised closing time for the outdoor area and the submission of a Delivery Management Plan.

Premises Licence: Bread & Butter, 7 Enfield Road, London, N1 5EN

The Licensing Sub-Committee approved the application for a premises licence for Bread & Butter, located at 7 Enfield Road, London, N1 5EN. The decision was made after considering representations from local residents and taking into account the council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

The approved licence includes specific conditions, such as the use of the outdoor area ceasing no later than 9:00 PM daily. Additionally, the Premises Licence Holder is required to submit a Delivery Management Plan to the Licensing Authority and maintain a dedicated, constantly available contact telephone number and email address, which must be displayed at the premises and on its website.

The committee was satisfied that the licensing objectives would not be undermined by granting the licence. While eight local residents made representations, including concerns about noise, deliveries, and potential anti-social behaviour, the Licensing Authority, Environmental Enforcement Service, and the Police withdrew their objections after agreeing on conditions with the applicant.

The Sub-Committee noted that Bread & Butter operates as a restaurant with a condition to serve alcohol with substantial table meals via waiter/waitress service. Concerns were raised by local residents about potential noise from the 60 flats located above the premises and issues related to vans driving onto the pavement and deliveries. However, the committee felt that reducing the outdoor area's operating hours to 9:00 PM would help prevent public nuisance. The requirement for a Delivery Management Plan was also intended to mitigate disruption.

The applicant, described as an experienced operator with over 12 years of experience running another café in Stoke Newington, confirmed their willingness to comply with all proposed conditions. They also stated that waste collections were now scheduled twice a week. The premises has a capacity of 58 people, with 45 inside and 18 outside. The applicant assured the committee that Bread & Butter would operate as a small family café, not a bar, and would not permit vertical drinking.

Local residents maintained their objections, expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on the area, including noise, smoking, litter, and anti-social behaviour, even if the premises operated responsibly. They felt they would not be able to control every aspect of the operation.

In reaching their decision, the Sub-Committee considered that the applicant had mitigated noise impact by agreeing to the 9:00 PM closure for the external area, providing respite for nearby residents. They also acknowledged the applicant's serious approach to waste management and deliveries. The committee noted that alcohol sales would commence after school hours, limiting the impact on the nearby school.

The Sub-Committee's decision was guided by Hackney's Statement of Licensing Policy¹, which outlines principles for promoting the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. Specifically, Policy LP6, concerning external areas and outdoor events, states that the Licensing Authority will normally restrict external areas and outdoor activity to between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM unless comprehensive control measures are demonstrated. The decision to restrict the outdoor area to 9:00 PM aligns with this policy.

The committee also encouraged the Premises Licence Holder to continue working with local residents and to use sustainable cutlery, plates, cups, and food containers to avoid single-use plastic.