The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for The Coffee Place & Breakfast. The committee decided to grant the application, allowing for extended hours for alcohol sales and opening times, as well as a change of the premises name. The decision was made after considering the report of the Licensing Manager, representations from the applicant and a local resident, and relevant licensing objectives.

The Coffee Place & Breakfast - Licence Variation

The sub-committee granted the application for a variation of the premises licence for The Coffee Place & Breakfast, located at 61 - 63 Woodhouse Road, N12 9ET. The decision allows for:

• Extended hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises:
  • Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 23:30
  • Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 01:00 the following morning
  • Sunday: 10:00 to 23:00
• Varied opening hours:
  • Monday to Thursday: 06:00 to 00:00
  • Friday and Saturday: 06:00 to 01:30 the following morning
  • Sunday: 07:00 to 23:30
• Approval of a change of premises name to The Coffee Place & Breakfast.

The licence is subject to all mandatory conditions and conditions consistent with the operating schedule.

The Licensing Officer, Elisabeth Hammond, presented a report noting that the application, submitted on 22 May 2025 by Alagoz Dilek Kaplan Consulting on behalf of Amarildo Papaj, sought to vary the premises licence originally granted on 3 March 2017. The proposed variation included extended hours for alcohol sales and opening times, and a change of the premises name. The playing of recorded music indoors remains unchanged.

One representation was received from a local resident, Jenni Stone, raising concerns about public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. The Public reports pack included the representation in Annex 2.

The Metropolitan Police initially engaged with the applicant and confirmed they had no objection following agreement on appropriate licensing conditions. No other responsible authorities made representations.

The applicant's agent stated that the application was for a modest and proportionate variation to an existing premises licence and not a new one. They explained that the changes proposed a slight extension to the hours for alcohol sales and outdoor use by 30 to 60 minutes for most evenings, largely in response to customer demand. The agent also emphasised that no new licensable activities were proposed, and the cafe does not operate as a bar, nightclub, or takeaway, nor does it provide live music.

The agent described the premises as a small, family-run business managed by the applicant and his wife, a quiet, inclusive cafe with limited indoor seating. Eight letters of support from local residents had been submitted, and there had been no history of noise complaints, disturbance, or breaches of the licence.

The applicant and his agent refuted the objection raised by Jenni Stone, asserting that claims of antisocial behaviour or plans to operate as a nightclub were inaccurate and unfounded. They clarified that alcohol is served only with food, the kitchen closes at 22:45, and no alcohol is sold without food, except for light snacks or tapas where appropriate.

The agent gave assurances regarding responsible management, adequate staffing, robust ID checks to prevent underage sales, and measures to control smoking and noise, including the use of open ventilation and staff supervision. The applicant highlighted that no responsible authorities had objected and confirmed that all existing licence conditions would continue to be complied with.

The sub-committee considered it reasonable to grant the application for a variation of the premises licence, taking into account the written and oral representations from the parties, the Licensing Act 2003, the revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, and the council's licensing policy.

Any party aggrieved by the decision may appeal to the local Magistrate's Court within 21 days of notification of the decision.

Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure

The agenda included a document describing the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing Procedure. The procedure is based on regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Licensing Act 2003 and is intended as a general framework to ensure natural justice and a fair hearing. The procedure allows each party a maximum period of three minutes in which to present their case. At the end of the time allowed, the Chair will terminate the presentation and the hearing will proceed in the form of a discussion led by the authority to explore points of dispute.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005 / Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings and Regulations 2005). Prior to exclusion, parties were notified that the decision of the sub-committee would be announced within five working days.