The Licensing Panel will meet to consider an application for a new premises licence for Foundry, a co-working office and event space in Hove. The panel will consider representations received from local residents and a local councillor, and review proposed conditions agreed with Sussex Police and Environmental Protection.

Foundry Licensing Application

The panel will review an application for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 for Foundry, located at 3 Ellen Street, Hove. The applicant, Foundry Topco LLP, is seeking permission to supply alcohol every day from 10:00 to 23:00 for consumption on the premises, and to remain open to the public from 08:00 to 23:00 daily.

The report pack states that the premises does not fall within the Cumulative Impact Area or the Special Stress Area.

The panel will consider representations received from three parties: local residents, a local councillor, and the Hove Station Neighbourhood Forum. Concerns raised relate to the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. Councillor Jackie O'Quinn, Goldsmid Ward, raised concerns about the late hours, potential disturbance to residents, and the lack of community consultation, stating:

What is extraordinarily disappointing about this application is that during the public liaison meetings, initiated by the developers, with local councillors, Hove Neighbourhood Forum and other interested local parties, the area that is now being proposed as for co-working and a bar with late hours was proposed as a community area which local people could use for agreed times and prices.

The Hove Station Neighbourhood Forum raised concerns about the lack of detail in the application and the potential for noise and public nuisance. A submission from a local resident also highlights concerns about opening hours, off-sales, lack of mitigation measures, and the change of use without community consultation.

The panel will also review proposed conditions agreed with Sussex Police and Environmental Protection, detailed in Appendix D of the report pack. Sussex Police have proposed a number of conditions, including:

• Limiting the supply of alcohol to on-sales only, between 10:00 and 23:00.
• Restricting access to the premises to office tenants, day-pass visitors, co-working members, persons who have pre-booked a meeting room, directors and employees of Foundry and its affiliated companies, persons attending a private pre-booked event or function, and guests of the above.
• Requiring a list of attendees to be kept on the premises at all times.
• Requiring the installation and maintenance of a digital CCTV system.
• Maintaining an incident and refusals log.
• Implementing a Challenge 25 policy¹.

Environmental Protection have proposed conditions relating to the prevention of public nuisance, including restrictions on deliveries and rubbish collection times.

The panel will be asked to consider the Brighton & Hove City Council Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 and Home Office Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, February 2025 when determining the application.