The Licensing Sub Committee convened to discuss a new premises licence application and to consider extensions to decision deadlines for other applications. The committee reviewed an application for a new premise licence for Convenience 65, ultimately adjourning the meeting to consider the application further. Additionally, the committee agreed to extend the decision deadlines for applications relating to the Aldi store on Commercial Road, M&M Local on White Church Lane, and Pick Pic on Bethnal Green Road.

Convenience 65 Licensing Application

The sub-committee considered an application for a new premise licence for Convenience 65 (Aldgate East) at 7 Leman Street, London, E1 8EN. The applicant, Connex Idea Limited, sought permission to sell alcohol for off-site consumption between 07:00 and 23:00, Monday through Sunday.

The application faced an objection from the Licensing Authority, which cited the location of the proposed premises within the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ). The Licensing Authority argued that granting another license in this zone could negatively impact the area, potentially adding to existing issues of crime, disorder, and public nuisance.

Cumulative Impact Zone

The council operates a special policy for the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone¹, creating a presumption against granting new licenses that could exacerbate existing cumulative impacts. The Licensing Authority noted that the onus was on the applicant to demonstrate that their operation would not negatively contribute to these cumulative effects. The Licensing Authority stated that:

There is no reference in the application to the premises being within the CIA and therefore no additional provisions, on how the applicant intends to uphold the licensing objectives, to demonstrate how the premises will not have a negative effect on the already saturated area.

Conditions

The applicant proposed a number of measures in their operating schedule to address the four licensing objectives², including CCTV, staff training, an incident log, and a refusals register. In addition, the applicant agreed to conditions requested by the police and Environmental Protection, including:

• Storing alcohol in a locked area outside of licensable hours
• Not selling single cans or bottles of beer, cider, or lager
• Limiting the sale of beer, cider, or lager to products below 5.5% ABV[^3] [^3]: ABV stands for alcohol by volume, and is a standard measure of how much alcohol (ethanol) is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage (expressed as a percentage).
• Not displaying alcohol in the front window
• Limiting alcohol sales to pre-packaged, sealed containers
• Restricting deliveries and waste collection between 22:00 and 08:00
• Not displaying confectionery or soft drinks near alcohol products
• Participating in local crime reduction initiatives
• Limiting the floor space dedicated to alcohol sales to no more than 20%, locating alcohol towards the rear of the premises, and ensuring it is visible from the till.
• Installing anti-vibration mounts for speakers
• Displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents and businesses
• Ensuring that no noise emanates from the premises or vibration is transmitted through the structure of the premises, which gives rise to a public nuisance.

Despite these proposed measures, the Licensing Authority maintained its objection, expressing concern that the addition of another premises selling alcohol could exacerbate existing anti-social behaviour in the area.

Following applicant representations, the sub-committee adjourned to consider the application further.

Extension of Decision Deadline

The sub-committee agreed to extend the decision deadline for applications relating to the following premises:

• Aldi, 132 Commercial Road
• M&M Local, 15 White Church Lane
• Pick Pic, 138 Bethnal Green Road