The Licensing Sub Committee A was scheduled to meet to consider new premises licence applications for three businesses, and a premises licence variation application for one business. Councillor Heather Staff, Chair of Licensing Committee and Migrants Champion, Councillor Gary Heather, and Councillor Rosaline Ogunro, Deputy Mayor, were scheduled to be in attendance. The meeting was to be held in Committee Room 4 at the Town Hall.

New Premises Licence Applications

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider new premises licence applications for:

• Green Shop, 46 Newington Green, N16 9PX
• Nisa Local, 250 St Johns Way, N19 3RJ
• SX Cellers, 65 Essex Road, N1 2SF

Green Shop, 46 Newington Green, N16 9PX

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Green Shop, 46 Newington Green, N16 9PX. The applicant, Mr Seref Demirci, was applying as an individual to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 08:00 and 02:00 every day.

The Green Shop -New Premises Licence Report stated that the premises is not located in a Cumulative Impact Area¹. One representation had been received from the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team. The applicant had agreed to incorporate the police recommendations into the operating schedule, but was not willing to amend the application hours to the council framework hours². The applicant had also agreed to the recommendations of the council's pollution team.

The Green Shop -New Premises Licence Report noted that the property is within the Newington Green Conservation Area³ and is not listed. The ground floor of the property was formerly used as a retail shop unit called Mother Earth which sold organic health foods. It had been vacant for some time, and the proposal was to use the ground floor of the property as a café/restaurant. The Green Shop -New Premises Licence Report stated that planning permission is not required for the change of use from retail to café/restaurant use under the Business Class E⁴.

Constable Tim Livermore of the Islington Borough Licensing Team, had sent an email that was included in the Green Shop -New Premises Licence Report, stating that the police were in receipt of the new premises licence application and that they held responsibility for ensuring that the licensing objectives are promoted, supported and adhered to. Constable Tim Livermore noted that the applicant already holds a 24-hour licence nearby at 29-31 Green Lanes with very aged and limited conditions. He also stated that the current hours applied for in regard to this new premises are outside of the framework hours for off licence premises, which stand at Monday-Sunday 0800-2300 hours, and that police would not feel able to support an application for the hours given on the details provided in the application.

Constable Tim Livermore proposed new conditions and amended wordings to existing conditions, including updates to CCTV, incident logs, the 'Challenge 25' proof of age scheme⁵, and staff training.

Nisa Local, 250 St Johns Way, N19 3RJ

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Nisa Local, 250 St Johns Way, N19 3RJ. The applicant, Mr Engin Asian, was applying as a non-individual for the sale of alcohol, off the premises, Mondays to Sundays, from 08:00 to 23:00.

The Nisa Localv2 - New Premises Licence Report stated that the property has previously been licensed as The Royal Oak public house, but the licence was revoked in 2021 following a serious incident. The applicant had agreed to incorporate the police recommendations into the operating schedule, and the police representation had been withdrawn. Two representations from local residents remained at the time of writing the report.

The Nisa Localv2 - New Premises Licence Report noted that the premises has recently been granted planning permission for use as a retail shop with ancillary cafe, with hours of operation conditioned to 07:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday.

The Nisa Localv2 - New Premises Licence Report included copies of emails from local residents objecting to the application. The reasons for objection included concerns about anti-social behaviour, public safety, public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The Nisa Localv2 - New Premises Licence Report also included a detailed response from the applicant, addressing the four licensing objectives and outlining the steps they intend to take to promote them. The applicant stated that the proposed premises would result in a marked reduction in crime and disorder compared to the site's previous use as a public house, and that they are addressing the long-standing public safety issues linked to the vacancy and former use of the site. The applicant also stated that their proposed use is designed to minimise noise, nuisance, and disturbance, and that they are committed to robust procedures that protect children and young people from harm.

The applicant also stated that pre-application engagement was undertaken with the Police, who have agreed robust conditions aimed at preventing crime and disorder, promoting public safety, and protecting children from harm, and that they have met with the local councillors who have voiced their support for the application.

SX Cellers, 65 Essex Road, N1 2SF

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for SX Cellers, 65 Essex Road, N1 2SF. The applicant, Mr Ahmet Mutlu, was applying as an individual for the sale by retail of alcohol, off supplies only, Mondays to Sundays from 08:00 until 23:00, and for the premises to be open to the public, Mondays to Sundays from 08:00 until 23:00.

The SX Cellers - New Premises Licence Report stated that the applicant had agreed to amend the proposed licensable hours and incorporate the police recommendations into the operating schedule, and that the police representation had been withdrawn. Two representations from local residents remained at the time of writing the report.

The SX Cellers - New Premises Licence Report noted that the property is located within the Cross Street Conservation Area⁶. It was previously known as a gentleman's barbers called Grizzly Felons within Business Use Class E1. The proposal was that the ground floor commercial unit will be used as general retail food store and off licence, which would be within the permitted Business Use Class E1 and would not require further planning permission.

The SX Cellers - New Premises Licence Report stated that the premises are located in the Angel and Upper Street Cumulative Impact Area, therefore the Licensing Sub-Committee would need to consider Licensing Policy 3⁷, which states that there is a presumption of refusal unless the Sub-Committee is satisfied that there will be no adverse cumulative impact on the licensing objectives.