Here is a summary of the agenda for the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for 21 October 2025. The main item for discussion was the application to review the premises licence for Wood Oven BBQ and Pizzeria in South Woodford. The sub-committee was also scheduled to elect a chair for the meeting and consider any declarations of interest from members.

Wood Oven BBQ and Pizzeria - Premises Licence Review

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application to review the premises licence for Wood Oven BBQ and Pizzeria, located at 124-126 George Lane, South Woodford.

The review application was submitted by the Home Office Immigration Enforcement, a responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003, following investigations at the premises. The Home Office stated that the licence holder, Mr Ahmet Ali Nam, had allegedly been found to be employing illegal workers. The Home Office sought the full revocation of the premises licence, citing breaches of the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

According to the report pack, the premises licence authorises the following licensable activities and timings:

• Sale by Retail of Alcohol for Consumption on & off the Premises
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 – 23:30
  • Friday & Saturday: 11:00 – 01:00 the following day
• Supply of late-night refreshment
  • Sunday to Thursday: 23:00 – midnight
  • Friday & Saturday: 23:00 – 02:00 the following day
• Hours Premises are Open to the Public
  • Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 – midnight
  • Friday & Saturday: 11:00 – 02:00 the following day

The report pack noted that the premises is located within the South Woodford Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), as identified within chapter 6 of the council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

The report pack included a summary of a visit by the North East London ICE team to Wood Oven BBQ and Pizzeria on 11 October 2024, after intelligence was received that the business owner was employing illegal workers. The report stated that three individuals were encountered who were identified as immigration offenders.

The report pack also stated that a referral had been made to the Civil Penalty Compliance Team in relation to the illegal working, and a civil penalty notice for £120,000 was issued on 7 January 2025 to Amed A&N Ltd for employing three people who had no right to work in the UK. Amed A&N Ltd objected to the penalty, but the case was reconsidered, and it was decided to maintain the penalty. Amed A&N Ltd arranged to pay the penalty by means of an instalment plan, and £106,666.56 of the penalty currently remains outstanding.

The report pack included copies of the following documents:

• The Review application (Home Office)
• Home Office Review Application Supporting Evidence
• Representations in support of licence holder from other persons
• Premises Licence L00640
• Google Maps and Street Views
• Copy of the revised Home Office guidance's section 11 - Reviews
• Map of South Woodford CIZ
• Extract from Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, Chapter 6 in relation to CIZs

The report pack included a recommendation that the Sub-Committee consider the options provided under section 52 of the Licensing Act 2003, having regard to the Review application and having carefully considered the report, including any Statutory Guidance issued by the Home Office, the Council's licensing policy and all matters before it both written and oral, decide whether to:

• Modify the conditions of the premises licence, which may include the alteration, or omission of existing, or the addition of any new conditions;
• exclude any licensable activity from the scope of the licence;
• remove the designated premises supervisor;
• suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months;
• revoke the premises licence;
• take no action.

Other Business

The agenda also included items relating to:

• Apologies for Absence and Declaration of Substitutes
• Election of Chair
• Declaration of Interest
• Results of Appeals
• Any other Items which the Chair decides for the reasons stated are urgent
• Procedure for Licensing Hearings¹
• Motion to Exclude the Public
• Decision: Wood Oven BBQ and Pizzeria