The Redbridge Council licensing sub-committee was scheduled to convene to consider an application for a new premises licence. The application was for Rio's Piri Piri, located at 171 Ilford Lane, to be granted a licence for late night refreshment. The sub-committee was also scheduled to discuss procedure for licensing hearings.

Here's a breakdown of the key items on the agenda:

Application for New Premises Licence: Rio's Piri Piri

The sub-committee was scheduled to review an application for a new premises licence for Rio's Piri Piri, a grilled chicken restaurant at 171 Ilford Lane, Ilford. The applicant, Nayyer Sheikh, was applying on behalf of Sheikh Restaurants Limited.

The application sought permission for:

• Late night refreshment: Monday to Sunday, 23:00 to 03:00
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 to 03:00

The report pack included additional information from the applicant, including revised licensed and opening hours, and proposed conditions for the licence.

Proposed Conditions

The applicant proposed several conditions to be attached to the licence, focusing on the four licensing objectives¹:

• General: Responsible operation, promotion of licensing objectives, and prevention of negative cumulative impact within the Ilford Town Centre Cumulative Impact Area (CIA)². The applicant stated awareness of the issues within the CIA and proposed reduced hours for late-night refreshment and ceasing dine-in service at midnight to mitigate potential problems. > The Applicant is aware that the premises is located within the Ilford Town Centre Cumulative Impact Area, what that means, of the issues arising and of the need to ensure that their fastfood restaurant does not add to the negative cumulative impact within the CIA. - Public reports pack 22nd-Jul-2025 10.00 Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf
• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Installation and maintenance of a CCTV system, staff training in CCTV operation, incident book maintenance, display of notices regarding CCTV, the Licensing Act 2003³, permitted hours, and customer conduct. The applicant also proposed a minimum of three trained staff on duty after 23:00, staff training on relevant provisions of the Licensing Act, and engagement with local police teams.
• Public Safety: Preparation and regular review of a Fire Risk Assessment & Emergency Plan, with appropriate fire safety training for all staff.
• Prevention of Public Nuisance: Display of signage, restrictions on deliveries and rubbish removal between 23:00 and 05:00, a phone number displayed for residents to call with concerns, maintenance of a tidy shop front, litter patrols, a dispersal policy, and limiting the number of smokers outside the premises.
• Protection of Children from Harm: Display of signage and restrictions on unaccompanied children under 18 after 23:00.

The applicant's dispersal policy included measures such as taking last orders for dine-in customers at 23:30 and for collection/delivery at 01:15 (Monday-Thursday) and 02:45 (Friday-Sunday). It also included continuous monitoring of the outside of the restaurant to prevent customers loitering or eating outside, and a reminder for customers arriving by car not to leave engines running or play loud music.

Objections

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider objections to the application. The report pack included:

• Five representations from other persons, raising concerns about the potential impact on the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
• Four representations from responsible authorities: the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team, the Council's Licensing Enforcement Team, and the Community Protection Task Force (acting in their capacity as Environmental Health and Public Health). These objections also cited concerns about the potential impact on all four licensing objectives.

Specific concerns raised in the representations included:

• Potential for increased crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour, and public nuisance due to late-night operation.
• Concerns about public safety, including traffic congestion, inconsiderate parking, and potential risks to vulnerable individuals.
• Potential harm to children due to late-night disturbances and the promotion of unhealthy eating habits.

Councillor Muhammed Javed, Councillor Hussain, Hameeda Saeed, Linda Speedwell and Sahdia Warraich were all listed as having submitted objections to the application.

The Metropolitan Police Licensing Officer, PC Dean Birch, stated that the police were objecting to the application on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and prevention of public nuisance. PC Dean Birch cited the council's statement of licensing policy, noting that the premises is located within a cumulative impact zone, where there is a rebuttable presumption that licence applications for premises in any area designated as a CIZ will be refused. PC Dean Birch also noted a recent warning notice issued to the venue for repeatedly operating beyond their hours.

Priya Cheema, a Licensing Enforcement Officer for the London Borough of Redbridge, also submitted a representation against the application, including supporting documents: a crime map for the Ilford Lane area, a copy of the warning notice issued to Rio's Piri Piri, and a planning decision refusing a variation of condition relating to opening hours.

Sultana Choudhury, a Public Health Principal, also submitted a representation, noting that the establishment is located in an area with higher than average levels of obesity and diabetes, and that regular consumption of fast food can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of chronic diseases.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The sub committee was scheduled to discuss the procedure for licensing hearings, including the order of evidence, questioning of parties, and summing up.